Father and son in farm crash tragedy

A farmer killed after his motorcycle collided with a quadbike being driven by his father had recently moved in with his partner.

Friends yesterday paid tribute to Shawn Brian Humphrey, 28, who died after the crash on his family farm in Halcombe, 32km northwest of Palmerston North.

Shawn fell off as the bikes crashed on a blind corner in wet and windy conditions on Thursday morning. Neither he nor his father Brian was wearing a helmet.

Shawn was flown to Palmerston North Hospital but died of serious head injuries early the following morning.

Brian was treated for injuries to his hands and for shock.

Long-term friend Andy Short said Shawn had recently moved in with his partner, Kelly Spilman, and the couple were planning their future together.

"He was a truly amazing man. He was everyone's best mate. He lived life to the full, he loved trying new things."

Another friend, Craig Jimmieson said the Humphrey family were overwhelmed by Shawn's death.

"It's a tragic family accident and they're in a state of extreme shock, they are trying to come to terms with it."

"He was an extremely nice guy and well-liked by everyone. It's just a bloody tragedy."

Neighbour Greg Browne had been friends with Shawn for five years and described him as "a good, honest, true guy".

"He would do anything for anybody, [he was] a real hard worker."

Browne said the extreme bad weather on the morning of the accident meant the drivers probably wouldn't have been able to see more than 2m.

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said the serious crash unit was investigating. Shawn's death had been referred to the coroner but it was too early to say if charges would be laid.

"The two riders saw one another and obviously appeared to brake. "Obviously the father is, as you can imagine, absolutely devastated."

A study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal this month recommended legislation to protect children from injury and death by quadbikes.

The Department of Labour investigated four quadbike deaths in the six months to June, all in the Waikato.

It has started an inquiry into Shawn's death.

His funeral will be held at St John's Anglican Church in Feilding on Tuesday.