The small Makarora community has been left devastated by the death of Ib Alsing Clausen (47), better known as Boss,
Originally from Te Kaha, near Gisborne, Mr Clausen had lived in Makarora for more than 10 years with his partner, Angela Te Kani, and their four children. He worked as a builder in the Upper Clutha area.
The serious crash unit examined the scene yesterday and is still investigating the cause of the crash.
Makarora fire chief Heather Pennycook commended the actions of Mr Clausen's teenage son Fienza and his friend following the crash.
The pair, Mr Clausen and one other man were in the 4WD when it plunged 50-70m off a rarely used cattle track leading to the Tarahera Valley, parallel to the McKerrow Range, on Saturday.
Ms Pennycook said the two ``amazing young men'' got themselves out of the vehicle, dealt with the injured then Fienza ran ``a long, long way'' for help.
``These two young teenagers had to deal with the accident scene and then ... run all the way down that long track and all the way down the mountainside to the state highway to raise the alarm.''
``I just think those young men need to be highly commended for the way they acted in a really extreme situation.''
Ms Pennycook said it took the brigade's four-wheel-drive, all-terrain fire truck at least 40 minutes to reach the crash scene after leaving the highway.
``It's very steep terrain. It's a pretty gnarly track. It's kind of what I would call an extreme four-wheel-drive track.''
The track is on land owned by the Department of Conservation but once part of Makarora Station.
The track was no longer maintained, and Ms Pennycook questioned whether the top section was still suitable for vehicles.
``I'm actually surprised other people haven't come to grief in the past because it's a fairly rough track.''
Ms Pennycook said it was ``pretty gut-wrenching'' to attend a crash involving a member of the local community.
Makarora Tourist Centre manager Michelle St John said anyone who had meet Mr Clausen knew he was special person.
``He was a man if anybody needed anything done he would be there in a flash to his own detriment,'' she said.
People loved to be around him, she said.
Makarora resident Pete Phillips said he visited the site of the crash yesterday to pay his respects to an ``amazing'' man.
``Some people put their values in material things but he placed them in family and friends and to me that made him a millionaire, '' Mr Phillips said.
Mr Clausen's death would leave a huge hole in the community, he said.
A tangi would be held in Te Kaha later this week.
