James Bond special effects technician dies in Batman accident

A Kiwi special effects expert, killed while working on the latest Batman film in Britain when a car stunt rehearsal went wrong, had intended to return to New Zealand with his family after the project - reports Stuff.

Conway Wickliffe, 41, died when a four-wheel-drive he was in crashed into a tree while following a stunt vehicle - believed to be the Batmobile - at a special effects facility in Surrey.

Mr Wickliffe, originally from Paeroa, was an expert in his field, working on numerous blockbuster films including James Bond movies Casino Royale and Die Another Day, the Tomb Raider films, Black Hawk Down, Harry Potter 4 and The Da Vinci Code.

He specialised in building vehicles for movies, creating Batmobiles that could jump, a new Bat Bike, and building a four-wheel-drive Aston Martin for Special Agent 007.

Having worked all over the world, friends say Batman: The Dark Knight was going to be his last project, and then he intended to return to New Zealand with his family.

His wife, Derynn Chase told TVNZ's Close Up that his work was not normally dangerous and she had expected him to be in the workshop that day.

Ms Chase is unhappy she has not been allowed to see his body. British police have launched an investigation into the accident, and coroners are yet to perform an autopsy.

Mr Wickliffe was in a camera car that lost control as it trailed the stunt car during a test run yesterday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He had been living in London since the late 1990s. He and Ms Chase had a son Sabian and daughter Eden.

One of his close school friends, Shane Law, who lives on the Kapiti Coast, said Mr Wickliffe was loving his job and was an awesome father.

"We're all devastated. He's a lovely guy, a fantastic personality."

Another friend, Maurice Belz, said Mr Wickliffe had always had a brilliant technical mind, but was very humble about his work.

"He was very popular with people."

Discuss this news here...