Dad killed by ramp ‘nicest guy’
The family of a man who died when a 300kg ramp fell on him in at work say he was “the nicest guy who told the funniest stories”.
Father-of-two Sean Smyth had recently moved from the Waitomo area to Otorohanga. He worked for Inframax Construction in Te Kuiti, where the fatal incident happened.
A family member, who did not want to be named, told the Herald everyone liked Smyth, he was a hardworking guy and a great dad.
“He was the nicest guy who told the funniest stories.”
Smyth, 43, left behind daughters Emily, 7, and Olivia, 6, and his loving wife Serena, the person said. The family planned to bring his body home from Hamilton Hospital last night to be surrounded by wha¯nau.
“We have yet to decide on the day of the service, and where he will be laying until that time. I will post again as soon as decisions have been made,” a relative said in a post on Facebook. “Thank you all for the lovely messages you have sent.”
Another posted: “Our hearts are broken,” alongside photos of Smyth.
Yesterday, hundreds left comments paying tribute to him.
“Sean was the nicest, hardestworking and most genuine person I’ve ever met,” one said.
“He told the most amazing stories and had the cheeky grin and unforgettable laugh . . . He was loved by all and will be terribly missed.”
Another wrote: “I work with Sean’s ex-employer. They are devastated.”
The Smyths are a well known family from Piopio.
Inframax Construction chief executive Chris Hayward said their focus was on looking after Smyth’s family and supporting the staff. “Operations aren’t functional today.”
Emergency services were called to the yard of Inframax’s head office in Waitete Rd at 11.40am on Monday. The death has been referred to WorkSafe and the Coroner.