A Southland farmer died when he became trapped under a quadbike after a crucial piece of equipment failed, a coroner has found. Coroner Heather McKenzie found Mr O’Callaghan, of Waikaka, died from positional asphyxia. Mr O’Callaghan and Ms Williams were going to his mother’s place for dinner and were due to leave home at about 4pm. Mr O’Callaghan fell from the seat and the quadbike ‘‘came to rest on top of him’’. ‘‘I find that Mr O’Callaghan died from positional asphyxia due to a quadbike rollover.’’She extended her condolences to Mr O’Callaghan’s family for their loss.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 07, 2026 02:45 UTC