Equine community mourn loss of Kiwi vet
The tragic news of the death of a respected Matamata vet has sent ripples throughout the New Zealand equine industry.
Former Matamata Veterinary Services vet Dave Hanlon, died at the wheel while on holiday in Wyoming, US with his wife Fiona and their children.
The family had recently taken up positions at Colorado State University after many years working at the Matamata Veterinary Services in Waikato.
News of the death of 50-year-old Hanlon, was shared far and wide on social media with many expressing heartfelt goodbyes to their local vet.
Close friend and colleague Dave Keenan said the whole Matamata Veterinary Services team and community are in complete shock.
He said Hanlon was one of the company’s senior vets specialising in equine reproduction and was a very ‘‘wellknown vet locally, nationally and internationally’’.
Hanlon joined Matamata vets in 1996 and then left the company in 2019. Up until that time he was a shareholder, partner and director in the company.
‘‘He was world class with what he did and also was very involved in a lot of research based in New Zealand and further afield,’’ Keenan said.
‘‘He had a warm personality, he cared and by his nature he was very factual and a true scientist.’’
He said Hanlon was a very kind friend and colleague to work alongside.
‘‘There’s many people, from all walks of life who have crossed his path, and have nothing but respect for the man he was. He will be deeply missed.’’
In a statement, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said the fatal crash occurred on US Highway 287 south of Laramie, Wyoming.
‘‘Around 10.23 am [January 20], Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to the area for a motor vehicle collision.’’
It said the driver of a car had failed to notice a car had stopped resulting in the car swerving into the wrong lane.
‘‘The driver of the Honda failed to notice the stopped vehicle until it was too late and entered the northbound lane of US Highway 287, colliding head-on with a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Hanlon, who was driving the Jeep, suffered severe injuries and died at the scene. Hanlon’s wife, Fiona Hollinshead, who is also a specialist vet, was transported by helicopter to hospital with severe head trauma. The couple’s three sons received minor injuries.
Hollinshead has since regained consciousness and is now at home with her three children. The other drivers involved in the crash, also suffered injuries.
Wyoming Highway Patrol said speed, cell phone use, and driver inattention are being investigated as possible contributing factors.
A private funeral will be held in Colorado this week. With the blessing and involvement of the Hanlon family, Keenan said they will look to have a memorial service in due course for the community to pay their respects.