Man killed in South Canterbury crash lost his son to falling log two years ago

Paul Hatherley was killed in a crash in South Canterbury at the weekend. Just two years earlier his son Felyx was killed when a log crushed him at his father's workplace. Photo / Supplied

Paul Jon Hatherley was killed in a crash near the South Canterbury town of Temuka on Sunday.

Just two years before that his son was killed when a log fell onto of him and crushed him.

Hatherley died when a car he was in and a Fonterra milk tanker north of Timaru crashed.

Police rushed to the scene in Clandeboye, on Canal Rd, shortly before 1am on Sunday April 8.

Two others were taken to Timaru Hospital in an ambulance, one suffering critical injuries and another with moderate injuries.

Hatherley's son, Felyx Hatherley, died at Point Lumber in Washdyke after a log rolled on him in March 2016.

Charges were later laid against the Timaru lumber yard.

Chadae Preston, Felyx's mother, and Hatherley, told Stuff the lumber yard was Hatherley's former workplace.

They said they were "gutted" about the charges.

Preston told Stuff Felyx had been climbing on the logs when they fell on him.

She said she had taken Felyx to visit his dad at work when the accident happened.

"He climbed up, and I told him to get down before he fell, so he climbed back down again," she said.

"Then he turned around and climbed up one, and that just sent them all tumbling down."

A death notice for Paul said he was the "much loved son of Pete and Margaret, loved brother of Marc. Loved and cherished Dad of the late Felyx. A much loved uncle of all his nephews."