KEY POINTS:
A New Zealander who died after the train he was on was hit by a truck in Australia on Tuesday nearly missed catching the train.
Mr Parker, 32, was one of 11 people to die in Victoria's worst rail crash in 66 years.
The furniture salesman was visiting Australia to celebrate his sister Kirsten's engagement.
A relative of Mr Parker's told Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper he had been on his way back to his sister's home after visiting family. His cousin drove him to the station and they only made it by about 30 seconds.
"They laughed all the way to Swan Hill and that's why they were late," he said.
Mr Parker would have got off at Kerang station just 5km from where the crash happened.
He managed to climb from the train after the crash but collapsed and died as he attempted the short walk to the highway.
The family were "shattered," the relative said.
"It's very sad, they're beside themselves. We're all very close."
Victorian police yesterday charged truck driver Christian Scholl, 48, with culpable driving causing the death of Mr Parker, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' jail.
The Wangaratta man was granted bail and will appear in court on December 19.
It is expected Scholl will face further charges over the other 10 deaths, the paper reported.
Scholl is currently at the Epworth Hospital in Richmond, where he is recovering from his injuries.
Mr Parker was the eldest child in a 40-strong extended family, who lived on both sides of the Tasman.
In the statement released yesterday his family said: "We are all devastated and still coming to terms with Nick's tragic death."
His sister Kirsten said they had been overwhelmed with support from friends and family.
"He touched many people with his caring loving nature and sense of humour, developed from being a member of such a large community of family and friends."
Mr Parker was born in Wellington, attended Wellington College and had lived in Wellington, interrupted by periods of overseas travel.
He worked in their family furniture business in Thorndon with his parents and sister.
Keen on the outdoors in his spare time he was an enthusiastic skier, tramper and windsurfer.
He played cricket for the Waikanae club and snooker at the Porirua Club.
Mr Parker is survived by his partner Lisa, his parents Michael and Judy Parker, sisters Kirsten and Amadee, and grandmother Dawn Tucker.
- NZPA
