KEY POINTS:
Investigations are continuing into the death of a man killed in an industrial accident at a Fonterra dairy factory in Hawera, Taranaki, on Saturday night.
He was Theodorus Rangihu Blake, 52, of New Plymouth.
Constable Glenn Davy said Mr Blake was operating a hydraulic press-type machine used to load pellets when the accident happened at 6.50pm.
He suffered head and torso injuries and was initially taken to Hawera Hospital before being transferred to New Plymouth hospital, where he died at 11.05pm.
Police and the Department of Labour were investigating the accident at the "enormous" plant, Mr Davy said.
Mr Blake's brother, Jerry, told the Taranaki Daily News his brother "was an awesome guy".
Jerry Blake said the family was going through the grieving process and didn't want to comment about the accident.
Mr Blake has a daughter Melissa.
Mr Blake's flatmate and friend of seven years, Graham Martens, said he would be sadly missed.
"He was a great guy, he was really easy going and had a good attitude," Mr Martens said.
"He liked to get out there and meet people and everyone just got along with him."
Mr Davy said police were still speaking to workers at the plant.
"Nobody saw the accident, a work colleague just saw him collapse after the accident," Mr Davy said.
Police were investigating on behalf of the coroner.
- NZPA
