Police name tractor driver who died in crash with milk tanker

Police name tractor driver who died in crash with milk tanker
Photo credit: Getty

Police have named the tractor driver who died in a crash on State Highway 5 near Rotorua on Wednesday.

He was 55-year-old Brooke John Thomas, of Reporoa.

Thomas died at the scene after his mowing tractor was involved in a crash with a milk tanker at Ngatira, 25km out of Rotorua.

Police said two people were initially trapped following the crash.

The truck driver suffered moderate to minor injuries.

"The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing," a spokesperson said on Thursday.

"Police extends its sympathies to his family and friends."