Trainee mechanic crushed to death
A trainee diesel mechanic who was crushed to death while working in a forest looks set to be awarded his apprenticeship qualification posthumously after he was killed just a week short of completing his course.
Josh Masters died after being crushed while he was repairing a log loading machine that had blown a hydraulic hose, Stuff understands.
Emergency services were called to the incident on Hurunui Bluff Rd at Balmoral Forest in Culverden, North Canterbury, shortly before 10am last Monday.
The forestry operation is managed by Rayonier New Zealand Limited on behalf of Matariki Forests, which owns the trees.
Masters was an apprentice diesel mechanic for North Canterbury company Button Contracting, which was working in the forest for Rayonier.
Button Contracting spokeswoman Rachel Button said Masters was ‘‘passionate’’ about being an apprentice diesel mechanic and had been with the company since May 2019.
He had one assessment left on his apprenticeship and was set to complete it next week.
It was likely Masters would still be awarded his certificate, she said.
Masters was a valued team member who was considered ‘‘part of the family’’.
‘‘He lit everyone up. He just had this beaming smile – I don’t think I ever saw Josh angry or upset, he would do anything for you . . . he would just jump to it and get it done,’’ Button said.
‘‘Everyone loved working with him as well . . . he’d just work his way into everyone’s hearts with his smile and his personality, and he was a [hard] worker.’’
Masters’ death was ‘‘heartbreaking’’ for everyone at the company, especially the six logging crew members who worked alongside him, Button said.
Two of the crew were the first people to come across the 23-yearold after he was crushed.
‘‘They were the ones that pulled Josh out and did CPR. Our two boys just did an incredible job.’’
Masters’ logging crew were struggling with his death and so were off work and being cared for by both the company and Victim Support, Button said.
‘‘They’re heartbroken, they were both very good mates with Josh . . . they’re really struggling with what they’ve been through.’’
On Tuesday, colleagues, family and friends were joined by Ngāi Tahu members who held a hui at Balmoral forest, where the incident happened, to bless the site.
‘‘He just left us far too soon, he had such a vibrant life to head into and it’s just a huge loss to everyone, really,’’ Button said.
Masters attended Rangiora High School and also lived in the North Canterbury town.
He was a keen fisherman and diver and would often head away on trips to Kaikōura with friends. He was also known to enjoy tinkering away in his workshop or alongside his grandfather, Paul Grenier.
He is survived by his father Steve Masters, mother Melanie Doney, sister Beka Baker, partner Ellie Riley and grandparents.
There were three deaths and 33 injuries resulting in more than a week away from work in the forestry and logging industry between January and December last year, according to WorkSafe statistics.
Three people died and 135 were injured during the same period in 2020.
WorkSafe, Rayonier and Button Contracting are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Masters’ death.