Woman killed in quad bike crash named

Police have released the name of the woman killed in a quad bike incident in Athenree on Friday.

She was 59-year-old Yvonne Rogers, of Katikati.

WorkSafe New Zealand has been notified and the death has been referred to the coroner.

In an article in today's Bay of Plenty Times, Waihi police Sergeant Aaron Fraser described her death as a "tragic accident".

"A female orchard worker was initially reported as missing and eventually located a few hours later by other orchard staff trapped underneath a quad bike she had been using around the orchard.

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"It appears from the initial investigation that she has taken a shortcut up a grassy incline and the quad bike has hit a small lip hidden in the grass and flipped the bike on top of her and pinned her down, possibly suffocating her."

A spokesperson for Agfirst Bay of Plenty, the woman's employer, confirmed there had been "an unfortunate fatal accident".

"Our thoughts are with the family," he said.