Shock after Grey Valley farmer dies from crash injuries

By Paul McBride

Otago Daily Times·

21 Dec, 2018

West Coast residents are reeling with the death of blueberry farm pioneer Phil McLennan who succumbed to his injuries after a motor accident on the outskirts of Ikamatua on Monday.

McLennan, a well known horticulturist and farmer in the Grey Valley, died in hospital from injuries sustained when his four-wheel farm bike and a car collided near the Waiuta turn-off at Ikamatua, on State Highway 7.

He was the pioneer of blueberry farming on the West Coast and was a well known and liked identity of the Grey Valley community.

McLennan farmed blueberries and tayberries on his Ikamatua farm for many years and was a major supplier of blueberries to supermarket chains, ice-cream and food companies throughout New Zealand, in addition to a roadside stall at the farm.

His sudden death has put the Grey Valley in shock.

"It's hit the community hard," Ikamatua resident Roger Hampton said.

"He was a long serving member of the local fire brigade and has been in the Grey Valley Lions for many years. Phil was a real character and very popular. His death is a real shock, right on Christmas."

Ikamatua Hotel publican George McInroe said the community was hurting.

"We are all devastated. Phil was a prominent member of the community and a real entrepreneur," McInroe said.

"We are all feeling it up here. He was a major character of the community and a community-minded man. It's a shock."

Retired Ikamatua farmer Peter O'Malley was still coming to terms with the loss.

"Any accident is a shock but it's hit close to home," O'Malley said.

"Phil was well liked and fully involved in our community -- Grey Valley Lions, the fire brigade and the rugby club. Everyone knew him, he was always the first to put his hand up if anything needed doing. It's a very sad time."

The police serious crash team is still investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Growing Fruit Keeps a Family Strong

From Country Life, 9:28 pm on 13 December 2019

In the mid-1980s Philip McLennan planted the first and only blueberry farm on the West Coast at Ikamatua. He was always trying something new so planted tayberries as well.

The tayberry originated in Scotland and is a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry. Late last year Philip was tragically killed in a car accident but his family want to keep his legacy and dream alive.

The berry farm is now managed by Philip's sister Carolyn Straker. It's been a huge learning curve for Carolyn who has has no horticultural experience, but her goal is to give the berry farm a real shot at success and make her brother proud.

Listen to Carolyn talk about the Farm

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