Road rage trial: Tamate Heke tells Brisbane court of fight before death

New Zealander Tamate Heke at the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday. Photo / AAP

A New Zealander on trial for the manslaughter of another man during an altercation on a Brisbane motorway told police he only threw the punch because he had been hit first.

Tamate Henry Heke allegedly struck 50-year-old Shane Merrigan on the Gateway at Eight Miles Plains on December 1, 2015.

Merrigan was killed when he stumbled and fell into the path of an oncoming truck.

Heke enters Brisbane court with supporters. Photo / AAP

On the third day of his Brisbane Supreme Court trial on Wednesday, the jury watched a video of Heke's interview with police in the hours after the incident.

Heke told officers Merrigan had "tailgated" him while swearing and making hand gestures.

The court heard the accused also made hand gestures when Merrigan followed him into another lane.

Heke told police after about five minutes, the man in the "high-vis shirt" wound down his window and motioned for him to pull over onto the side of the road.

He claimed Mr Merrigan approached his car while again swearing and making gestures.

"I said 'what the f*** is your problem?'" Heke was recorded as saying.

"He said 'c**** like you shouldn't be on the road'."

Heke admitted getting out of his car and placing his hands on the man's hand and shoulder, in an attempt to move him away from the passing cars.

Heke alleged he was pushed twice in the chest as they scuffled, causing him to retaliate and push back.

The court heard it was then that Merrigan allegedly punched Heke in the face.

"It just pissed me off," he told police.

Heke said he then threw a punch to "give him one back".

"He's stumbled backwards onto the road," he said.

Earlier in the video, Heke held back tears as he recalled seeing the man's head get "squashed" by the oncoming truck.

Shane Merrigan died after an altercation with Tamate Heke. Photo / Supplied

"I tried to catch him," he said.

Heke said he did not fear for his life during the road rage incident, but he also said he had no intention to fight with Merrigan or push him into oncoming traffic.

In the recording, he conceded he should have stayed in his car and called police.

The prosecution has now closed its case and defence barrister Anthony Kimmins confirmed his client would not give evidence.

Closing arguments are due to start on Wednesday afternoon.