Sydney-based Kiwi killed when tyre explodes

Richard May was killed when a forklift tyre exploded. Photo / Thinkstock

A New Zealander was killed when a tyre exploded on a forklift he was servicing in Sydney.

Richard May, 48, is being mourned by family in Northland at the Tuhirangi Marae in Waima after his body was repatriated to New Zealand from Sydney on Thursday.

May was replacing a split-rim tyre on a container forklift when it exploded, fatally injuring him and causing serious abdominal injuries to a nearby forklift operator at the Patrick container terminal at Port Botany on September 2.

May was discovered dead at the scene and the forklift operator was taken to hospital.

May's sister Catherine said her brother would have celebrated his 49th birthday tomorrow.

He had moved to Sydney six years ago to be close to his young grandchildren, Paihana and Kyara.

May's daughter Inezi, 29, and son Vernon, 26, live in Sydney. His other son, Tika, 27, lives in Gisborne.

She said her brother was "happy go lucky" and a devoted family man. He had been a solo father since he was 23.

"He was addicted to his grandkids and couldn't go a week without them," she said.