Driver killed in east coast crash

A 61-year-old man, believed to be a forestry contractor, was killed yesterday when his ute crashed down a four-metre bank on the East Coast.

A forestry crew found the man in his upside-down ute just before 1pm near Fernside and Mata Roads, inland from Tokomaru Bay, The Gisborne Herald reported.

They tried to revive him but he died at the scene.

It was not known when or how the accident happened, said Senior Sergeant Rodger Gray.

"We will be working with the Gisborne coroner tomorrow to determine an exact cause of death."

- NZPA