A Perthshire man who was visiting his daughter in New Zealand has been killed in a road accident.
Richard Harbinson, 68, from Muthill, was driving with his family on Friday afternoon when his car struck another vehicle and hit a tree and he sustained fatal injuries.
His wife Lesley, 65, and daughter Ceara, 29, were also injured in the accident and are being treated in Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
Their injuries are understood to be serious but not life threatening.
The accident happened near Havelock North on North Island where the Harbinsons’ daughter Ceara lives.
The driver of the other vehicle involved escaped injury.
“This is a tragedy for the family involved and a sad way to start the year off on Hawke’s Bay roads,” said Senior Sergeant Clint Adamson, the investigating officer.
Sgt Adamson said the accident happened about 4.35pm local time on Friday.
He said it appeared that the car the pensioner was driving crossed the centre line as Mr Harbinson attempted to negotiate a bend, clipped an oncoming vehicle and crashed into a tree.
A registered nurse travelling on the road was one of the first on the scene, along with a policewoman who was also on the road.
At least eight police vehicles attended the scene along with fire appliances from Havelock North and Hastings, and two ambulance crews.
The road stayed closed for about four hours while police investigated the incident and a diversion was put in place.
No skid marks were apparent and nothing immediately indicated why the vehicle crossed the road.
Mr Harbinson’s interests included golf and he was known locally for playing at Muthill Golf Club.