Cause of death still uncertain

A medical cause has not been ruled out as having a part to play in the death of a Masterton forestry worker on Thursday.

The 31-year-old man was killed after the tree he was cutting down fell on him in a forestry block on Te Mai Rd, Tinui at about 12.30pm.

Masterton acting sergeant Andrew Stringer said police were assisting Worksafe with the investigation and medical issues had not been ruled out at this stage.

"It's not clear cut that it was purely a logging incident.

"The injuries sustained were not a 100 per cent conclusive that it was due to the tree."

Police were working with local kaumatua to see if a blessing of the site could be arranged.

"That's still in the progress of being sorted out at this stage."

Work had been halted at the site yesterday and the man's co-workers had been offered counselling, Mr Stringer said.

The man was working in an area by himself as part of a crew employed by a contractor in a block managed by Forest Enterprises.

While not originally from Masterton, the man had been living in the town for a short period of time, Mr Stringer said.

Police were still working to contact the man's family who were spread throughout the North Island.

The death has been referred to the coroner.