Father stunned as son crushed by tree

The scene at the farm as rescue workers try to free Grant Martin's body after the 40m tree fell on the excavator he was driving. Photo / Christine Cornege

A father watched in horror yesterday as his son was crushed to death by a 40-metre pine tree the pair were removing from their farm near Otorohanga.

Rex Martin shouted for his son Grant to get out of the way, but the huge tree came down too quickly, crashing on to the cab of the excavator Grant was operating.

The 48-year-old truck driver lay trapped as his father raised the alarm.

But when ambulance officers arrived at the farm on Honikiwi Rd soon after the 11.50am accident, they found the son dead.

Grant Martin co-owned the 101ha drystock farm, part of which is leased, with his wife, Vanessa, father Rex and mother Lynnette.

Police said Grant Martin was using an 11-tonne excavator and a bulldozer to remove the tree when it fell on to the cab.

Friends said Rex Martin was watching the work and yelled a warning to his son.

It took emergency services, friends and neighbours several hours to cut the body free.

Ross Pevreal of R&L Drainage, for which Grant Martin also worked, said the family wanted to get rid of the tree because it was dangerous.

He said it was no surprise that Rex Martin, thought to be in his 70s, had seen the accident.

"Everywhere Grant was, Rex was right beside him. He's not [coping] well because he saw it happen."

Mr Pevreal said he could not understand why Grant Martin, who drove trucks for the drainage company, was working in the spot he was, but said he loved heavy machinery and had used and owned diggers for many years.

"It's heartwrenching when you work with a guy for five years and that sort of thing happens."

Mr Pevreal described Mr Martin as an "awesome guy" who was dedicated to his job and devoted to his family, including his sons Kyle, Thomas and Scott, all in their 20s.

Mr Pevreal's wife, Leigh, said Mr Martin, who drove Fonterra milk tankers before taking up work with R&L Drainage, was a talented driver.

"He was just brilliant at what he did. He's certainly irreplaceable in so many ways."

Otorohanga Mayor Dale Williams said he was devastated by Mr Martin's death because they had been neighbours and friends for more than 10 years in Kio Kio Station Rd, where the Martins owned a lifestyle block.

"It's just heartbreaking. I feel so sorry for his wife and kids and family."

Mr Williams said the Martins moved to Otorohanga from Greenhithe in Auckland about 15 years ago and bought the farm some years after that.

"It's just hell of a tragic. Most people in Kio Kio and Otorohanga know the family very well, so this will really rock people."