Tarseal truck victim leaves big family

Graham Bennie. Photo / Supplied

A roadworker killed by a tarseal truck seemed "indestructible".

Graham Donald Bennie, 55, died on Woodlands Rd, northeast of Hamilton, on Thursday.

He left his mother Valma, wife Alison, two siblings, five children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Graham was born in Te Kuiti and grew up in Tauranga.

When he was 16 he started work at Piopio Motors in spare parts.

He married his wife Alison in 1987 and in the late 90s the couple moved to Maungakaramea in Northland for work.

They owned a lifestyle block, which they called "paradise", before returning south and settling in Huntly about five years ago.

His mother Valma, 75, was still coming to terms with her son's death: "When I heard, I thought it couldn't possibly be true. He was a big man and seemed indestructible."