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Home / New Zealand

Driver charged over death of respected GP

13 Oct, 2002 11:05 AM2 mins to read

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An Atiamuri man will appear in court on Thursday following a road accident in June that killed a prominent Rotorua doctor.

The man will face a charge in Tokoroa District Court of causing Gavin O'Keefe's death by dangerously driving a vehicle on Ongaroto Rd on June 29.

Sergeant Geoff Kaye-Ivitu of Tokoroa
said the charge followed an "extensive inquiry".

At the time of the crash, police said the 53-year-old doctor died when his car turned into a fireball after hitting the back of a bucket loader which was travelling about 15 to 20 km/h.

Dr O'Keefe had been travelling back to Rotorua after visiting some friends in Te Kuiti.

More than 1000 people from Rotorua and throughout New Zealand attended his funeral.

His widow, Bev O'Keefe, said yesterday that she felt "slightly better" because of the charge, but nothing would bring her husband back.

"As anybody in this situation will tell you, it's a major uphill battle," she said.

She is looking forward to having her three children home from university for the Christmas holidays.

She was enjoying being back at work at the Westbrook Surgery after taking two months off to deal with the grief.

Another GP is to be employed at the surgery.

"There's a strong team here. Everybody has pulled together.

"We have had some extra help in the surgery."

She was also grateful for the support from the rest of Rotorua's GPs who had been rostered to work while she was away.

"They are fantastic," said Bev O'Keefe.

"I think this was an opportunity for the doctors just to show what great people they are and how supportive the GP network is."

- NZPA

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