Forestry death further tragedy for prominent family hit by plane crash

Thursday, 10 October 2019

The death of a man in a logging incident in Manawatū this week is a further tragedy for a family hit by a plane crash 30 years ago.

Well-known businessman Russell Oxnam, 66, died in a forestry incident on Finnis Rd near the Manawatū village of Pohangina about 12.30pm on Tuesday.

In 1988, he lost his father, wife and two daughters in a crash near Whanganui.

In a statement, WorkSafe NZ says: 'We understand the victim was fatally injured after becoming pinned between two trees. We have opened an investigation and therefore are unable to provide further comment.'

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A death notice in Thursday's Manawatū Standard newspaper says Oxnam died 'as a result of an accident in the bush'.

He has been listed as the registered owner of Foxpine Logging, operating out of Sanson, for more than 17 years.

A Foxpine employee said Oxnam's family were still in shock over the news.

Oxnam is part of a well-known Horowhenua family whose lives have been tainted by tragedy in the past.

The plane crash happened in bad weather near Whanganui. The plane, piloted by Oxnam's father, Noel, crashed in hills, killing all nine people on board, including Russell's wife Jeanne and two young daughters, Hillary and Alice.

The Oxnam family has been involved in the timber and aviation industry throughout the Manawatū region.

Police said the matter had been referred to WorkSafe and the Coroner.