Rotorua woman's heartbreak over love of her life's death

Vanessa Martin with her and Anthony's new grandchild, Olivia, born this year. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

It's been 16 months since Anthony Waye was found dead at the farm where he worked but the love of his life and their family say they don't know why it happened.

The 35-year-old died on August 2 last year. He was found lying near a backing gate on a Reporoa dairy farm, south of Rotorua.

In coroner Dr Wallace Bain's findings, just released to the Rotorua Daily Post, he has ruled Waye died from positional asphyxia as a result of concussion - which means he likely tripped and fell, hit his head and was knocked unconscious, fell in an awkward position and died as a result of not being able to breathe properly.

A WorkSafe investigation was carried out and it was ruled there were no other contributing factors, including no witnesses, no suspicious circumstances, no health and safety breaches and no mechanical faults with the gate.

At the time Waye had broken ribs after a frightened cow crushed him against railings a week earlier. He was taking strong pain relief but Dr Mark Wickham's pathologist's report ruled out any pain relief overdose.

Vanessa Martin with the love of her life Anthony Waye. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Coroner Bain agreed with WorkSafe's ruling that Waye died from positional asphyxia.

But Vanessa Martin and her son - Waye's stepson - Jesse and their daughter Samantha, had hoped for more answers and are critical of the WorkSafe investigation.

Martin said she felt WorkSafe didn't communicate well with the family and the investigation was not carried out thoroughly enough.

WorkSafe published on its website on two occasions the conclusions of Waye's death before the coroner had released his findings and without consulting them. The error resulted in WorkSafe sending Martin a letter of apology.

"The family haven't been able to properly grieve or accept their loss because of it (the investigation process)," Martin said.

Vanessa Martin with her and Anthony's new grandchild, Olivia, born this year. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

However, a WorkSafe spokesman said the investigation was thorough and professional.

"WorkSafe understands the pain and grief Mr Waye's family is feeling after losing a loved one in a workplace incident."

The spokesman said all the evidence it was able to gather in the absence of a direct witness was fully considered before it reached its conclusions.

"The coroner has accepted our investigation and chosen not to open an inquest into Mr Waye's death."

He said throughout the investigation there was contact every two to three weeks between the investigator and Martin.

He said it was common practice for WorkSafe to log workplace fatalities on its website based on the report or reports it received about the incident, and in advance of coronial findings.

Anthony Waye loved farming and animals and was described by his family as having a soft side willing to help anyone. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

"In this case, we sincerely apologise to the family for the two versions of the apparent cause of this fatality that appeared on our website."

Meanwhile, Martin said it was important she acknowledged Dr Michael Grant at Owhata Medical Clinic and Richard Ellis at the coroner's office for always keeping them informed as best they could.

Martin said following her long-time partner's death, she moved back to Matamata to be with family but had since returned to work in Rotorua as a bar manager and was enjoying it.

Waye had missed out on meeting their first grandchild, Jesse's daughter Olivia, this year but the birth had "blessed" the family.

The family was also going through counselling to help with their grief.

She said she would continue to ask questions and hoped one day she could be satisfied with knowing exactly what happened.