Man charged after forestry death

Levin Police have arrested and charged a man with manslaughter in relation to the death of Lincoln Kidd who was killed during a tree felling operation on 19 December 2013.

The 46-year-old Horowhenua man was arrested and charged today and will appear in the Levin District Court on Thursday 4 September, 2014. The man has also been charged with serious workplace health and safety charges by WorkSafe NZ.

Mr Kidd and his colleagues were felling trees on a forestry block on State Highway 1, near Levin, when he was struck by a falling tree.

Detective Sergeant Peter Vine of the Levin CIB says: "There have been investigations by WorkSafe NZ and Police that involved an extensive inquiry phase and a large number of witness statements were taken, and legal advice was sought."

"Throughout this process we have remained in frequent contact with Mr Kidd's family and we have met with them recently to communicate the next steps in our investigation."

As the matter is before the court Police has no further to comment to make at this stage.

ENDS

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