the zuardian
Donald McCullough adjusts a plough at a vintage fun ploughing competition held near Waitohi by the Geraldine Vintage car and Machinery Museum in 2013.
A well-known farmer and "careful bloke" has died after being crushed by a piece of farm machinery inland from Ashburton.
WorkSafe has launched an investigation into the death of 66-year-old Donald Ross McCullough following an incident at a rural property in the Montalto area near Mayfield, about 8pm on Saturday.
McCullough was an active member of the rural community and a life member of the Temuka and Geraldine A&P Association.
Association president Phillippa Sanders said McCullough was also a past-president and wool convenor, and had been involved with the organisation for "about 40 years".
"He was very actively involved with the association and was a regular face at shows and meetings.
"He would drive down [to Winchester] from Mayfield and there was a genuine reason if he couldn't make a meeting."
Sanders said McCullough would be "sorely missed" in the A&P community.
"It's very sad. It will be a big week."
Lifelong friend Alister Lyon said McCullough was "just a lovely man".
"He was a very proud family man and a very proud grandfather," he said.
Lyon said Donald had an "incredible knack" for organising.
"He was involved in so many different committees. He was a great stockman. His sheep and cattle were second to none," he said.
"He was also an exceptional ploughman."
"I will miss him. He was a great friend. Just a nice, straight-up guy."
Allan Averis, a member of the Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum alongside McCullough, said he was saddened to hear of his friend's death.
"He was a really nice man.
"It's a bit of a shame really. When I heard about it, I couldn't believe it because he's always been such a careful bloke."
Federated Farmers South Canterbury president Jason Grant said McCullough was working alone, repairing a piece of machinery when he was crushed.
"It's just really tragic," Grant said.
A WorkSafe spokesperson said investigations can take up to a year to complete.
