New Zealand - Rural postie hit by own van

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A rural postie run over by her own van remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Diane Howe, 73, from Hokitika was removing items from the back of her postie van when it rolled backwards over her about 7pm last night.

Police said bystanders were able to move the van and give first aid until an ambulance arrived.

Howe was airlifted initially to Greymouth Hospital in a critical condition and was transferred to Christchurch Hospital. She remains in a stable but critical condition.

In 2012 Howe won Rural Women NZ's Postman-pat-on-the-back award. She was nominated by two separate customers who said Howe was "generous" and "always ready to go the extra mile".

The accident happened on a private driveway just north of Hokitika.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Diane Howe, 73 , from Hokitika was removing items from the back of her postie van.

[senior man]

Wow a 73 yr old postie working at 7pm is that one of Moya`s previous transformations .

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Rural postie dies after being run over

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A rural postie has died in hospital five days after her van rolled backwards over her on the West Coast.

Diane Mary Howe, of Hokitika, was critically injured when her postie van rolled over her while she was unloading items at a private property just north of Hokitika last Monday night.

The 73-year-old was flown to Greymouth Hospital and later transferred to Christchurch Hospital.

A family notice published in The Press today said Howe died at Christchurch Hospital on Saturday.

The notice said she was the "loved wife" of the late Bernie Howe and a "loved sister", aunt and great aunt.

A service to celebrate Howe's life would be held in Hokitika on Thursday.

WorkSafe New Zealand earlier said it would investigate the incident.

New Zealand Post said it would also investigate how the "very serious accident" happened.

Head of provincial contract management Stu Kane said Howe was "well known and highly regarded". "That's reflected in the outpouring of support coming in from the Hokitika community," he said.

Howe received Rural Women New Zealand's (RWNZ) Postman-pat-on-the-back award in 2012 after she was nominated by two separate customers.

A statement on the RWNZ Facebook page today said Howe had received the award for always "going the extra mile for her rural community".

"They described her support as 'legendary'," the post said.

At the time the award was announced, RWNZ said Howe had fallen into the role of rural postie after her husband Bernie died in 1997 following an accident delivering mail in the area.

"Diane didn't want to let his customers down, so took on the run herself."

She travelled 52,000 kilometres a year, supporting almost 500 clients.

Di Strang, who was one of the people who nominated Howe for the award, said the postie's "friendly face" at the mailbox had helped her overcome loneliness when she moved to the area in 2003.

"She's a character and has one of the most generous natures I have ever seen," Strang said.