Men killed in Dunedin, Manawatu and Napier accidents

Three men are dead after accidents in Dunedin, Napier and near Bulls today.

The first fatality was in the Manawatu when a car crashed into a tree killing the driver Luke Porter-Graham, 28, of Bulls.

The car left Parewanui Rd, near Bulls, and struck the tree about 12.40am, Inspector Ian Harris of police central communications said.

Mr Porter-Graham's only passenger was seriously injured after the car left Parewanui Rd in damp conditions and slammed into a large tree about 5km west of Bulls at 12.40am.

The injured man is in Palmerston North Hospital.

That accident was followed by an incident in Dunedin where a 62-year-old man was pinned under a truck as he talked to the driver this morning.

Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said the "tragic accident" happened at Company Bay, 14km northwest of central Dunedin, about 8am.

Two trucks which were clearing land in the area were parked up and the man, who lived nearby, was talking to their drivers.

As he did, one of the trucks rolled forward and hit him, and he was pinned under it.

The drivers and the victim's family were being counselled, Mr McLellan said.

"It's just a very tragic accident," he said.

The third fatality resulted in the death a 45-year-old who was killed after his motorbike and a truck collided on the outskirts of Napier.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said two emergency vehicles were sent to Waitangi Rd near Awatoto and there were no other injuries reported.

Police were investigating all incidents.

- NZPA