Police are investigating the death of a man whose ride-on lawn mower landed on top of him.
The incident happened at Otamarua Rd, Russell, about 11.35am on Saturday.
By the time St John paramedics arrived at the scene, the man, believed to be in his 40s, had died.
St John Northland district operations
manager Tony Devanney said the man was using a ride-on lawn mower in an area that was a bit sloppy.
"The lawn mower rolled a couple of metres down a bank. There were mangroves at the edge of the bank," he said.
"The lawn mower landed on top of him.
"He had passed away by the time we arrived."
The identity of the deceased had not been released by police.
Mr Devanney said police were now handling the matter.
But neither Russell nor Kerikeri police were available for a comment at edition time.
Russell deputy chief fire officer James MacInnes said volunteer firefighters turned back on their way to the scene when it became apparent that their services would not be needed.
Meanwhile, a female driver escaped with only minor injuries when the icecream van she was driving flipped over on to its side.
Hikurangi firefighters were called to State Highway 1 in Hukerenui about 1.30pm on Saturday for a medical call involving a Mr Whippy icecream van.
The driver escaped with injuries to her elbow.
