A man fatally injured after a stag attacked him at his Makarewa farm has been described as passionate and a true character.
Yesterday colleagues and friends of Invercargill Senior Firefighter Ben McLean paid tribute to him, noting his 43 years of service for the brigade.
Area manager Julian Tohiariki said it was a deeply sad time for the Fire and Emergency New Zealand team in Southland and across the country.
"Ben McLean was a well-regarded and experienced senior firefighter within the Invercargill Fire Brigade for more than 43 years. Ben played an active role within the brigade over his career.
"This was evident right up to the night before this tragic accident, where he was the pump operator/driver of the first arriving appliance at a significant structure fire in Invercargill."
He said SFF McLean was passionate about his farm in Makarewa where he had a number of different animals.
"This is a time for reflection for our local crews and over the coming days we will look to remember and mourn our mate. As an organisation we will look to ensure our local people are well supported."
They would also provide support to SFF McLean’s family where they could.
Emergency services were called to the incident outside of Invercargill shortly after 6pm on Wednesday.
A social media post from the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union confirmed that SFF McLean’s colleagues attended the fatal incident.
"SFF McLean first joined the Tapanui Volunteer Brigade before becoming a professional career firefighter. He has dedicated more than 43 years to serving and protecting the community as a firefighter.
"He was highly respected by his crews and colleagues and will be remembered as a true character of the Invercargill brigade. His crew, colleagues and many others will be remembering him at this time retelling stories and reliving memories."
New Zealand Deer Farmers Association Southland branch chairman Bruce Allan said, while he could not comment on this specific incident, injuries sustained while deer farming were "quite uncommon".
"I can certainly recall other incidents of that nature in New Zealand and overseas in the past few years, but they are very rare."
"It does happen on rare occasions and everyone has got to use appropriate caution, at this time of year in particular."
The stag was put down and the circumstances of the man’s death will be investigated on behalf of the Coroner.
