Brigade 'baby boy' mourned

Bailey Honeycombe had his sights set on becoming a career firefighter.

The young man killed in a tragic accident near Kawerau on Friday had his sights set on becoming a career firefighter before his young life was cut short.

Bailey Billie Edward Honeycombe, 19, of Murupara, was a passenger in a beekeeping truck owned by Arataki Honey Rotorua when it collided with the back of a 120 tonne logging truck on a private forestry road around 4am on Friday. The collision happened near Kawerau on McKee Rd, also known as the "million-dollar highway".

Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Maera Anderson said Mr Honeycombe was "our baby boy in the brigade and got on with everybody".

She said she had known him since he was a little boy and he joined the brigade as a volunteer in 2013.

"He was a really polite and energetic person who lived life to the full. He was known for his infectious, cheeky smile. It's a big loss for the community," she said.

"He loved his hunting and rugby and wanted to become a career firefighter."

Ms Anderson said she visited his parents yesterday. "Everybody is still really broken. Along with my team we have received messages of condolences from right around the country and as far away as Australia.

He would meet somebody and right away he was someone you would never forget, even if you knew him for just five minutes

Maera Anderson

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She said he would have become an excellent firefighter.

"The day he passed his recruit course his mum and grandfather were there and they were so proud. I was really relieved we weren't called to that accident. Bailey was a fun loving person and gave life his all," she said.

Managing director of Arataki Honey Rotorua Russell Berry spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post on Friday and said Mr Honeycombe's mother and grandmother worked in his Waiotapu shop and were devastated and in deep shock.

"He was a 19-year-old and a very good member of our staff, enjoyed life and did a wonderful job at work. We are all very sad here."

He said Mr Honeycombe was a "fine young man who was going to go a long way".

"We are all very sad. We are like one big a family out here," he said.

"The family are obviously in deep shock."

Mr Honeycombe's body will be taken to Painoaiho Marae near Murupara tomorrow where his tangi will be held from 1pm.