Sister saw brother’s fatal crash scene
Ronald Charles Quarterman was heading home from mowing his sister’s lawn when he crashed in Christchurch.
The 82-year-old died in Christchurch Hospital after the Cranford St, St Albans incident on Cranford St shortly after 10.30am on Thursday.
Police said it appeared his car hit the back of the tow truck, which was carrying a car.
Firefighters cut him free and took him to Christchurch Hospital, but he died a short time later.
Quarterman’s sister Judy Lee said their sister, Pam Andrews, was driving home in the other direction and went past the crash.
‘‘She could see it was Ron’s car. She pulled up and told the policewoman, ‘That’s my brother’s car’.’’
‘‘He’d just been and mowed her lawn.’’
Quarterman was the only boy among five siblings.
Although he was 82, Lee said he ‘‘didn’t look it’’.
People often thought he was 70 years old because he was so fit – playing bowls and riding his bike.
He served in the Korean War and used to play rugby and rugby league.
He was a Papanui RSA member and previously a New Brighton RSA member.
‘‘When things like this happen, you cannot say goodbye. Just like that, he’s gone. That’s the saddest part,’’ Lee said.
Lee said the family understood a passing jogger climbed into her brother’s crashed car and held his head up while he was trapped.
They hoped police knew who the person was.
‘‘We want to send a thank-you card to him and maybe a voucher or something.’’
Quarterman’s funeral was held at the Harewood Crematorium Chapel yesterday.