An Otorohanga farmer has been killed by a falling pine tree as he tried to move it with an excavator.
Police say the accident happened about midday on Thursday when the 48-year-old man was using the excavator to remove the 40-metre tall tree.
The tree fell prematurely, trapping him inside the cab.
Ambulance officers confirmed the farmer had died at the scene.
Heavy machinery contractors were called to the scene on Honikiwi Road to lift the tree off the cab, allowing the man's body to be recovered.
Police and Department of Labour investigations are underway into the incident.
