The boy who wanted to be a truck driver

Driver who lost his life with his son was ‘incredibly close to family and friends’

The Tauranga family of a man and his young son killed in a truck crash this week have spoken of their utter devastation at the double tragedy. Aaron McDonald, 38, and Cruz, 8, were killed when their Weatherell Transport truck crashed through a barrier on State Highway 2, about 5km north of Norsewood in Hawke’s Bay, landing in dense bush 20m below on Monday.

Cruz loved trucks so much he wanted to be a truck driver like this father when he grew up and would go to work with his dad when he could.

Sister Theresa Richards said the family was heartbroken.

“It was just not expected, obviously to lose both him and his son together. We’re just devastated. Honestly, words don’t even cut it.”

The former Otumoetai College student grew up in Tauranga but moved to Gisborne about 10 years ago, where he met his wife Anah and had Cruz and another son, Rome, 6.

A group of 40 to 50 family and friends will travel to Gisborne today to farewell McDonald and Cruz.

Richards said her brother was incredibly close with his family and friends, speaking to their parents once a week and younger sister Nerissa Keepa every day.

“Because he was trucking he would stop in and stay with her every week in Tauranga. Then he’d stay with friends in Auckland. He always stopped in and called in with every- one. He was that kind of guy. He was very, very loyal. Very kind-hearted.”

Richards said her brother shared a special bond with his friends, who he’d been close with since attending Tauranga’s Otumoetai College.

“He loved motorbikes. Trucks and motorbikes,” Richards said. “Cruz loved trucks too.”

McDonald’s employer Tim Greaves — who is also his brother-inlaw — said Cruz’s bedroom wall was covered in pictures of trucks.

“As soon as he got to the yard he was as happy as a sand boy, you know. Anything to do with trucks . . . it was all he spoke about.”

Greaves said it wasn’t unusual for McDonald to take his son along with him in the truck.

“[He would] on the odd occasion, school holiday occasions. He was mad on them, yeah,”

Greaves said McDonald had driven trucks for about 15 years.

The police serious crash unit is investigating the cause of the crash and the deaths will be referred to the Coroner.

Additional reporting Belinda Feek

Cruz McDonald was “as happy as a sand boy” whenever he came to the truck yard where his dad worked.

Aaron McDonald, here with wife Anah, was a responsible and reliable truckie, says boss Tim Greaves.