Crushed man dies hours later

Photo / Northern Advocate

A man who went home after being pinned to a power pole by his runaway van died after refusing medical attention.

Desmond Alexander Bowman, 61, was driving home in Timaru when he stopped at the crest of a hill and got out of his van.

The vehicle started to roll away and he became pinned against a power pole when he tried to stop it, police said.

Bowman, who worked as a sales rep for Vetlife in Temuka, was stuck there for an hour on Thursday before a passer-by helped to free him about 10.30pm.

The passer-by took him home after Bowman insisted he was OK, Sergeant Mylen Hamilton said.

Later that night his condition deteriorated and he died at Timaru Hospital on Friday.

Bowman's wife Cynthia was too upset to speak about his death yesterday, but said she was "doing fine".

Vetlife managing director Adrian Campbell said, "Des was a colourful and popular individual and a valued member of Vetlife staff."

anna.leask@hos.co.nz