Tragic death leaves 'irreplaceable gap'
Last updated 12:56 22/03/2013
|
Related Links
Pedestrian killed by truck in Yaldhurst Husband killed in road accident named
The family of a Christchurch man killed when he was hit by a truck while delivering Jehovah's Witnesses pamphlets say his death leaves ''an irreplaceable gap'' in their lives.
Grant Edward Cormack Smith, 43, lived only about 100 metres from the spot where he was hit in Pound Rd, Yaldhurst, about 12.10pm on Wednesday.
He had pulled over to drop pamphlets into neighbours' letterboxes.
His wife, Melinda, was in the passenger seat.
Smith grew up in the Jehovah's Witnesses church and was a member of the Avonhead congregation.
Church elder Rob Taylor said the pamphlets Smith was delivering invited people to a celebration memorial of the death of Jesus on Tuesday, the same day as the Jewish Passover.
Taylor said Smith was a ''very nice family man'' and the congregation was offering the family ''lots of support''.
''It's just a freak accident; just tragic circumstances. He was just a very nice, considerate kind of person,'' he said.
''They have freezer loads of food donated; flowers. They are overwhelmed with the support they are getting.''
A public funeral is planned for 1.30pm on Monday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Winesses in Waitikiri Dr, Burwood.
A death notice published in The Press today read: ''Grant was known by all and especially his family as a very special, kind, generous and loving man ... His sudden death will leave an irreplaceable gap in all their lives. A tragic loss of a very special man.''
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Police said the southbound light truck had crossed the centre line and hit Smith and his car, which was parked facing north.
Road policing manager Inspector Al Stewart said the most likely scenario was that the truck driver "blacked out" because of a medical condition or fell asleep at the wheel.
The truck continued for about 10 metres after the impact before coming to a stop in a ditch.
The 52-year-old truck driver was to be formally interviewed yesterday.
A Pound Rd resident said she heard a "loud, long noise".
She saw Smith's satchel and Jehovah's Witnesses pamphlets were strewn across the road.
Smith's father came across the crash scene and was very upset, she said.
Smith and his wife have two teenage children.
The family lives on the same Pound Rd property as Smith's parents, Kevin and Sharon Smith, some of which is leased to Sharvin Lodge.
Lodge owner Manav Soni said learning of Smith's death was "the shock of my life".
It was tragic he was killed while "delivering God's message", he said.
Following motorists stopped and tried to resuscitate Smith but he was confirmed dead at the scene by ambulance staff.
- © Fairfax NZ News