“Hehelped out a lot of people, he loved helping and didn’t expect anything in return.
“Humble, loving and caring man, patient, beautiful wairua.”
Reif Cotter has been named as the person who died in a vehicle-related incident in Napier on Friday evening.
Cotter played for Eskview and Districts Rugby Football Club as a winger and is remembered by club member Jake Pocock as a “top bloke, great rugby player and family man”.
A Givealittle page has been set up to support Cotter’s partner Holly and their children.
“This page has been set up to help Holly and her children after the unexpected and tragic passing of the children’s’ Dad, Reif” it says.
“Holly is the most beautiful, kind, caring and loving mum to her daughter Amaia and boys Mitara and Aoterangi. She is a great, supportive friend and work colleague who never says “No” to what ever requests come her way. You know our Holly, she is always there for all of us.
“We ask you kindly to please donate as much as you can to help Holly and her children adjust to a new life, to be able to enjoy and stay in their home and to do all the nice things like kids’ sports and hobbies, now sadly without the support of Reif.”
Police confirmed the death on Sunday happened after a man was travelling on a mattress on top of a black station wagon when he fell off and died.
The vehicle had travelled from the Mārewa shops in Kennedy Rd along Nuffield Ave to the point of impact — between the intersections of Kettle Cres and Nash St, police said in a statement.
“As part of piecing together what has happened that has led to this tragic outcome, police are appealing to the public for information.
“We would like anyone who saw this vehicle, and/or the man travelling on it, to come forward,” they said.
Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and spent the last 15 years working in radio and media in Auckland, London, Berlin, and Napier. He reports on all stories relevant to residents of the region, along with pieces on art, music, and culture.
