Tragedy hits Buller family twice this year

yesterday's crash occurred at about 11.40am on Newcastle Street. Photo / Supplied

Tragedy has hit a Buller family twice in a year.

John Samuel Manshande, 27, a Waimangaroa farm worker, died when his motorbike and a truck collided in Waimangaroa yesterday.

Mr Manshande was the father of Anamiek Manshande, 22 months, who died when she fell into a pond and drowned on a Waimangaroa farm on November 18 last year.

Tasman police district communications manager Barbara Dunn said yesterday's crash occurred at about 11.40am on Newcastle Street. Mr Manshande died at the scene.

An investigation into the crash was continuing today, Ms Dunn said.

The Manshande family had been living in Waimangaroa for about four years.

The Westport News understands the truck involved in the collision was owned by Johnson Bros Transport, and was operating as a rubbish truck for Buller District Council contractor Smart Environmental.

Another motor vehicle accident occurred in the same area within 24 hours of Mr Manshande's death.

A 53-year-old man suffered minor injuries after his car collided with another car and rolled into a ditch near the corner of Fairdown Road (SH67) and Cawthorn Road at 10.15 this morning.

That the man suffered only minor injuries may be due to the fact that he was wearing a seatbelt, St John Buller territory manager Robbie Blankenstein said.

A St John ambulance transported the man to Buller Hospital.

Three cars were travelling along the road when the accident happened, Tasman police district communications manager Barbara Dunn said.

Two of the three were involved, when one of the cars was about to turn right, and was shunted into a ditch. The third car avoided the crash.

Police enquiries were continuing, Ms Dunn said.

Westport Fire Station fireman Graham Heaphy said two fire trucks attended, but were not required.