KEY POINTS:
The legs of a 36-year-old refuse worker that were ripped off by a baling machine on Tuesday were yesterday buried in a family ceremony in his hometown of Taihape as he lay in hospital.
Ben Hekenui's partner, Chrissy Brown, said family had retrieved any parts of Ben that had been left behind so they could "bury the old part of Ben" and move on with the healing process.
The father-of-two's legs were severed after he fell into a paper baling machine at Taranaki Recyclers' plant in New Plymouth. He was conscious throughout the accident.
An investigation is under way as to how the incident happened but Brown told the Herald on Sunday her partner still hoped to return to work at the plant.
On Thursday Hekenui's extended family and co-workers met at his workplace to "make sense of what happened". A karakia and blessing were performed involving the plant's owners.
"It was a process we all needed to go through."
Brown said she felt overwhelmed by emotion as she walked through the recycling plant.
"He was a highly respected boss and well-loved by colleagues. I could just visualise this man who I love so much working there."
When Brown heard Ben had become stuck in the compacting machine she had raced to Taranaki Base Hospital. She said her partner had been conscious during the incident.
"He was being very strong," she said. "It is a miracle he is alive."
Yesterday Ben was in high spirits after being moved out of intensive care into a rehabilitation ward . Brown says the loss of her partner's legs would be an enormous adjustment. "I think he understands the reality of the lifestyle of changes we are going to have to make."
Hekenui, a keen rugby and league player, was well known in Palmerston North before his move to Taranaki at the end of last year. Brown said their two sons, Anthony, 18, and Isaac, 15, were going through "a very emotional time" that would be even more difficult when they took to the rugby field.
Brown described how Hekenui felt pain in his legs where he shouldn't have felt any pain at all. "We both had a little cry," she said.
He was expected to return to theatre tomorrow.
Brown said she and Hekenui wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. "My husband has a heart of gold. He is as strong as an ox. I can't imagine what he went through but he is with us which is the main thing."
