The mystery of why an experienced truck driver plummeted 20m off a Kaingaroa Forest road is unlikely to be solved, a coroner has warned.
However questions raised at an inquest in Rotorua yesterday prompted coroner Tim Scott to request more information on the safety of the steep gravel forestry road and whether it could be improved.
Murupara's Victor Ripia, 49, died on July 24 last year after his logging truck and trailer unit, carrying 66 tonnes, went off the side of the No 6 road about 8.20am. It fell 20m into pine trees below. Logs went through the truck's cab and crushed Mr Ripia, who died at the scene.
Sergeant Tony Bennett told the inquest Mr Ripia had worked for Trojan Logging for five years. He was familiar with the No 6 road, and had already driven it once that morning.
Mr Bennett said the brake on one wheel of the trailer was not working at the time, however the truck would still have been able to stop if travelling at low speed. Other than that, the truck was in good condition, he said.