Man killed by falling tree

BEN HEATHER/Southland Times

CRUSHED: A man was killed when his car was hit by a falling tree on Lower Shotover Rd near Queenstown yesterday.

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A man died metres from his own driveway after his ute was crushed by a falling tree during high winds near Queenstown yesterday.

Sergeant Steve Watt, of Queenstown, said Russell Liggett died after his Toyota Hilux was crushed by a 20m poplar tree about 12.30pm on Lower Shotover Rd.

Several occupants of the cars behind the Hilux saw the tree begin to fall and Mr Liggett trying to brake, he said.

"He applied his brakes but unfortunately he was unable to avoid the tree," Mr Watt said.

Judging by the tyre marks, Mr Liggett braked for at least 3m but the tree still fell directly on top of the driver's cab, crushing it.

He was pronounced dead at the scene but it was at least three hours before the fire service was able to cut open the cab and remove his body.

Police cordoned off the road between Speargrass Flat Rd and Domain Rd for most of yesterday afternoon while the tree and ute were removed.

Mr Liggett was a farmer who lived on Lower Shotover Rd, the same road on which he died, with his wife Cindy. Mrs Liggett did not want to comment to The Southland Times last night.

The MetService issued a strong wind warning for Queenstown yesterday, with gusts reaching 80kmh. The warning said wind could make driving hazardous, toppling trees and powerlines.

Delta systems controller Graeme Johnson said the wind had caused several power failures across the region, including in Arrowtown, Alexandra and Roxburgh. "Generally it's not too bad but the wind has been pretty strong across the whole area," he said.

A tree had fallen on to power lines on Loop Rd yesterday morning, knocking out electricity to parts of Kelvin Heights for about an hour, he said. In the afternoon electricity was temporary out at Millbrook and Lake Hayes, he said.

Mr Watt said Mr Liggett's death follows another tree falling across State Highway 6 near the Crown Range yesterday morning. It blocked traffic until it could be removed.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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