The felling of a rotten tree was the cause of death of a 31-year-old forestry worker in a Wharerata forest south of Gisborne last year, a coroner's report has found.
Kenny Aaron Callow died on October 5, 2011 of multiple severe soft tissue and skeletal injuries when he was struck by a tree he was felling.
Coroner Chris Devonport said Mr Callow was felling a dead tree (spar) which appeared to be rotten.
He scarfed (front cut) the spar and completed a back cut in the rear.
He then walked back and behind this spar and scarfed a second tree, possibly in an attempt to use this good tree to drive the dead spar over.
