Four witnesses come forward after tree falls, killing Rotorua woman

The tree, known as Spencer's Oak, split in two during a storm on January 6, falling on to the Te Arawa House building and across the road, crushing a car being driven by Trish Butterworth. Photo/File

Four witnesses to the large oak tree falling and killing a local woman have come forward to make statements to police.

Rotorua police are still working through the investigation into what caused the tree on the corner of Amohia St and Arawa St to fall, crushing and killing Trish Butterworth, 56.

The tree, known as Spencer's Oak, split in two during a storm on January 5, falling on to the Te Arawa House building and across the road, crushing a car being driven by Butterworth. She died at the scene.

Rotorua police have been working on a fatality inquiry on behalf of the coroner.

Area prevention manager Brendon Keenan said four people had come forward to give statements after a request last week for witnesses.

"We are going through all of the council records in relation to the tree, that is everything from the occasional pruning to having concrete poured inside it," Keenan said.

"Of course we are working through it with structural engineers."

At the time, Rotorua Lakes Council acting chief executive Craig Tiriana said after concerns from a local tree specialist about bracing, another inspection was done by the council's regular contractor and in late September/early October bracing was replaced and some branch reduction was undertaken.

Tiriana and Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said the council would co-operate fully with any investigation into the incident.