'Heartbroken': Father-of-three killed in Canterbury crash

Former Canterbury firefighter Jeremy McCorkindale has been remembered as a great community man after he was killed in a crash last week.

McCorkindale was the sole occupant in the single vehicle crash on Depot Rd, near Oxford, on Wednesday, September 25.

The 44-year-old from Hororata left behind his wife, Lauretta, and their three sons, Isaac, 14, Benson, 12, and Tyler, 11.

McCorkindale’s sister-in-law Jodie MacDonald said on Givealittle the family is “heartbroken”.

“In honour of his legacy as a dedicated father and community man, we are raising funds to support the future of his sons, helping with their education and continued participation in the sports Jerry was so passionate about,” MacDonald 
said.

“Any support, large or small, is greatly appreciated as we come together to help this family in their time of need.”

As of Wednesday, $31,080 had been raised on the page.

Hororata fire chief Bruce Sayer said McCorkindale joined the brigade in 2017 and recently left to spend more time with his family, especially the boys who were passionate about sport.

“Jerry was a strong, dependable member of the brigade with a great sense of humour and would often be contributing to the morale of the brigade.

"Jerry will be greatly missed by all his mates at the station and in the community itself,” Sayer said.

McCorkindale was a past player, committee member, club president and coach of the Selwyn Rugby Club, and was involved in cricket in South Malvern.

South Malvern Miners Cricket club members remembered McCorkindale.

"When we began nine years ago we had just the one team from Glentunnel and the following season when we asked for help in bringing in more children from around the district, especially Hororata, Jerry was one of the first to put his hand up and get things done," a club spokesperson said on social media.

"I remember him turning up to our first meeting busily scribbling the names of potential players in his little notebook and from that day on, we have always had enthusiastic Hororata kids in our club.

"Jerry was always generous with his time and was always the first to volunteer to coach, even though summer was his busiest time of year."

A police spokesperson extended their condolences to his family and loved ones.

"Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing," the police spokesperson said.

• To donate to the Givealittle page head to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-the-mccorkindale-family