Neville Proctor (63) was single, and did not have family in Dunedin, but his flatmate Grant Little (55) said he viewed the man as an older brother.
The two men met 13 years ago when they worked at a delivery company and drove to Christchurch and back every night — the first one back bought a box of beers.
‘‘We shared a lot of things,’’ Mr Little said last night from the home the two men had lived in together for the past three years.
‘‘He was admirable and knowledgeable and the most caring person that I could think of.’’
Mr Proctor, who grew up in Tokoroa, had worked on farms, and as a welder. He had also been a deep-sea diver who had travelled the world, Mr Little said.
Last night, he said he was still in shock after his friend’s death.
‘‘I saw him at 7pm that night, or it was half-past six, and he said ‘I’ll see you in the morning’ ... and that’s that.’’
On the stretch of road where Mr Proctor died about 4.20am on October 2, about 60m of tyre marks were left in the 230m left turning lane where the north-bound, fully-laden milk tanker he was driving careered into the trees at the end of the lane and crashed 10m off the road.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed it will conduct a review of the access to the Riverstone Kitchen complex, where the accident occurred.
The turning lane was installed in 2014, but changes were made last year after two non-fatal crashes at the same spot.
WorkSafe has also started an investigation.
As a serious crash investigation was under way, police have refused to comment.
Mr Little said Dynes Transport, who Mr Proctor was driving for, had been ‘‘supportive’’ throughout the process.
The company had arranged for Mr Proctor’s sister and brother-in-law to travel to Dunedin from Tauranga.
