Family devastated by fatality
A ‘‘broken-hearted’’ family is coming to terms with the sudden loss of a husband and a father.
Bruce Honore was watching his grandson at a motocross event in Cambridge on Sunday, when a rider lost control of a bike and came off. The bike became airborne and crashed into a group of spectators, including Honore and his wife Meri.
Attempts were made to resuscitate Honore, 68, after what police said was a ‘‘freak accident’’. But the Ngahinapouri man died on the edge of the track just after 12.30pm.
Meri Honore suffered severe cuts to her face and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. She was discharged last night. The couple’s only daughter, Tanya Honore, said the family was still coming to terms with the loss. ‘‘It is just so sudden, just totally unexpected. To be honest, even today, it’s like it’s not really real. It will take some time for it to sink in that he’s not just away but that he’s not coming home.
‘‘[Mum is] totally devastated, broken-hearted. They did everything together. We are a very tight family; we don’t live in each other’s pockets but we’re always there for each other.’’
She described Honore as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He and Meri have three children, Tanya and two sons, and four grandchildren, with two more on the way.
‘‘He was a hard worker but he always made time to make sure we enjoyed doing other things.
‘‘To him it was always important to have family time, especially once the grandkids came along. He was an amazing grandfather.’’
The family did not want to give details of the incident while the police inquiry was still under way. WorkSafe NZ is also investigating.