A much-loved grandfather is being remembered as a "good bloke" who died following a "tragic accident" when a hazard-reduction burn in the New South Wales Central West went wrong.
Viv Coady, a 75-year-old farmer from Forbes, was killed on Saturday following a planned burn conducted with the assistance of the local NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigade and family members.
The operation happened around 11:30am in the top paddock of the property where he was raised on The Bogan Way.
His nephew Grant Nicholson, speaking on behalf of the family, said it was a "tragic accident".
"It was being done by the book, to the book," Mr Nicholson said.
Mr Coady was trapped with his tractor on the other side of the blaze from the RFS members and his family.
"Unfortunately, the wind turned and just engulfed him," Mr Nicholson said.
"It was just a freak gust of wind … it just caught everyone off guard."
There was a high fire danger rating that day on the Lower Central West Plains. It was almost 38 degrees with wind gusts of up to 50 kilometres per hour.
Mr Coady was treated at the scene for severe burns and was airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney where he died that evening.
"People are in shock still," Mr Nicholson said.
"Just something that's routine out here that's done all the time, it's being done on farms today and probably was done yesterday.
"You just never expect to go to work and not come home or do something as routine as what they were doing and not come home."
As an active community member and car racing fanatic, Mr Coady's death would be felt far and wide.
"He was just a good bloke. He loves his bikes, his cars, his farm," Mr Nicholson said.
Mr Coady was once the president of the Superkart Club of New South Wales.
Another former president Wayne Horswell said the life member was extremely generous to newcomers in the sport and anyone who was involved.
"He was the type of person who gave his time to help these people," Mr Horswell said.
He said the club would look at ways to remember Mr Coady.
"It's incredibly sad," Mr Horswell said.
Investigations underway
NSW Police said initial inquiries suggested his death was not suspicious.
"We don't blame anyone," Mr Nicholson said.
"Accidents happen on farms, they're dangerous places to work … it's just an accident."
In a statement, a NSW RFS spokesperson said "a number of investigations into the circumstances" of Mr Coady's death were being carried out.
"During the bushfire danger period, permits are required which outline any conditions or restrictions," they said.
The spokesperson said the RFS was "also supporting NSW Police with their investigation".
"It would be inappropriate to make any comment on this matter," they said.
A high fire danger remains in place today and tomorrow for the Lower Central West Plains and Central Ranges, but is expected to ease on Wednesday.
