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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Fatal tow truck crash: Victims identified

Rotorua Daily Post
18 Apr, 2014 04:30 AMQuick Read

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Two men who died when the tow truck they were in rolled down a bank in a remote area east of Opotiki on Thursday have been identified as Gordon Douglas Nelson, aged 67 and Frederick Michael Ruff, aged 70.

Both men were from Opotiki and Mr Nelson was the driver of the vehicle.

An investigation into the crash is continuing.

The men died Thursday afternoon after the tow truck they were in left a narrow gravel road and rolled down a 30 metre bank.

The incident occurred at approximately 1.30pm on the remote Takaputahi Rd, Toatoa, east of Opotiki. The pair had recovered a stranded vehicle and were on the return trip.

People in another vehicle witnessed the incident and had to travel out of the area to seek assistance as the remote area has no phone coverage.

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Police and ambulance were notified about 2.55pm and immediately dispatched resources to the scene.

A serious crash investigation is under way.

The cause of the crash is not clear at this stage but weather does not appear to have been a factor.

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