Auckland man Mark Vernon has died following a roading grader accident.
The family man was operating the construction machine on Maxted Rd, Ramarama when he lost control and was forced to jump from the runaway grader.
He hit his head in the process and suffered critical injuries.
Mr Vernon was rushed to intensive care at Middlemore Hospital.
Family and friends had been saying their farewells and were preparing to turn off Mr Vernon's life support last night, his son Bob Vernon said yesterday.