Coroner’s warning after ‘bunny hopping’ campervan killed Bay of Plenty man

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Kenneth Charles Cotter died four days after he was crushed by his campervan in a tragic accident at his daughter’s Kawerau home.

A Bay of Plenty man was killed after his campervan began “bunny hopping” towards him, crushing him between the driver’s door and a house in what a coroner described as a “tragic and unique accident”.

Kenneth Charles Cotter, 78, died at Whakatāne Hospital on December 6, 2021, four days after the accident at his daughter’s Kawerau home.

Findings released by Coroner R Schmidt-McCleave show Cotter had spent the day at his daughter’s house and was preparing to leave when he attempted to start his campervan, which was parked at the rear of the property.

Standing beside the vehicle with the driver’s door open, Cotter jiggled the gear stick because he believed the campervan was not in gear before turning the ignition.

Instead, the campervan began “bunny hopping” towards him while he was still holding onto the driver’s side door.

A coroner has urged drivers to confirm a vehicle’s gear position before starting the engine after a fatal campervan accident (stock image).

The vehicle scraped alongside the house before crashing into a nearby tree, which brought it to a stop. As it moved, the outside of the driver’s door struck the house, forcing it shut and crushing Cotter.

Police determined Cotter had been pinned between the driver’s door and the house. Bruising showed he had been crushed from his groin and pelvic area through to his abdomen and chest.

His daughter, Linda Larking, reversed the campervan to free him before calling an ambulance.

Ambulance staff recorded Cotter had severe lower back pain, was unable to take deep breaths because of the pain and had swelling and a small laceration to his lower leg. He was transported to Whakatāne Hospital for treatment, where he remained in hospital until his death four days later.

The coroner found Cotter died from respiratory failure caused by aspiration secondary to ileus.

Describing the incident as “a tragic and unique accident”, Schmidt-McCleave reminded motorists to check whether a vehicle is in or out of gear before starting it.

She also recommended campervans and other larger vehicles be parked on flat, clear and stable ground away from hills or ledges where they could roll forwards or backwards.