He was Jameson Douglas (Jim) Kidd (64), of Clyde. Mr Kidd, a member of the Dunstan Rural Fire Brigade for seven years, was one of the brigade's tanker drivers. He was driving a tanker with 10,000 litres of water to a fire near Shingle Creek on Sunday when he became unwell as he drove out of Alexandra towards Roxburgh.
He was able to stop the vehicle and was then given assistance by his crewmen, other firemen and members of the public, but died at the scene, Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw, of Alexandra, said.
The exact cause of death would be determined by the coroner, but police suspected "a medical event" was the cause.
Central Otago principal rural fire officer Owen Burgess was a friend as well as a colleague of Mr Kidd.
"He took a huge amount of pride in working in the rural fire force - it was 'his' tanker and he looked after it and led from the front," Mr Burgess said.
A tanker was sent to any fire call where there was no reticulated water supply for firefighting nearby. Mr Kidd drove a tanker and usually operated the vehicle's pump.
Mr Kidd was meticulous in everything he did - "almost a perfectionist", Mr Burgess said.
Dunstan is one of four rural fire brigades within the Rural Fire Authority, run by the Central Otago District Council.
Council chief executive Phil Melhopt, also a member of the rural brigade, said Mr Kidd took on the role of training other tanker drivers.
"He leaves a huge gap, as a friend and as a member of the rural fire team," Mr Burgess said.
Mr Kidd worked for the past six years as a parts consultant for Grant Ward Nissan, in Alexandra, travelling around Central Otago and Southland visiting customers.
"He had a vast knowledge of the motor trade and was very skilled in his job," business owner Grant Ward said.
"He had a really good rapport with his fellow workers."
Mr Kidd, a mechanic by trade, was a friend as well as a workmate and shared an interest in classic cars with Mr Ward.
Mr Kidd's family declined to comment yesterday.
Sergeant Dave Greaves, of Alexandra, on Sunday night said what had happened was a tragedy "but his family are aware and take some comfort knowing that he was doing something for the community in a job he loved when he died."
