A motorist has described how he tried to perform CPR on George Taiaroa after coming across his lifeless body soon after he'd been shot.
Richard McMeekin was quizzed at the Rotorua High Court on Thursday, where Quinton Winders is on trial, charged with Mr Taiaroa's murder.
Mr McMeekin told the court he initially thought the man may've been hit by a Jeep Cherokee which had moments earlier travelled past him at speed over a one-way bridge.
He told the court he got a look at the driver for about one or two seconds, describing him as male European aged mid-20s to mid-30s, possibly rough shaven.
Mr McMeekin said he parked beside "the man on the ground" to protect him from any other vehicles. He described Mr Taiaroa as having a gunshot wound above his left eye.
"There was no movement… he was just lying flat on his back. But not long after that I could hear the man start gurgling."
He said he and others performed CPR on Mr Taiaroa for about 15 or 20 minutes before police arrived.
When asked about the Cherokee that had earlier "sped" past him, Mr McKeekin said he couldn't see a number plate on the front of the vehicle, and believed there was only one occupant.
Winders, 45, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Taiaroa, who was shot dead while controlling a stop-go sign in Atiamuri, north of Taupo, in March 2013.
The trial continues.
