A WAGGA family is mourning the loss of a "top bloke" and "hardworking man" with his brother paying tribute after his devastating death.
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Cyril Alan White, 70, died on Monday afternoon in a single-truck crash at the railway overpass on Oura Road in North Wagga.
Two off-duty officers and emergency services tried to save him and another 76-year-old in the vehicle, but tragically both died.
Veteran Wagga trainer-driver Ray White spoke to The Daily Advertiser about how his brother Cyril, the youngest of six, was a kind, honest man who worked hard for most of his life.
"Cyril was not only my brother, but he was a bloody good friend, and he was a good mate to everyone. He wouldn't have had an enemy in the world," Mr White said.
"He was the first one to reach out to help. When flood time came, he would help shift stock off river country and all that.
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"I could tell you a million and one stories about him, and they would all be good."
Cyril grew up on the White's property which now forms a large part of Estella Rise. After leaving school, he topped the state exams for his TAFE studies and got an apprenticeship with Nixons Engineering, where he worked for a lot of his life.
Mr White said his brother showed a talent for being a harness racing driver from a young age.
"He was a very good horseman in his younger days," Mr White said.
"Cyril mixed with the top drivers and won races in Sydney and Melbourne and nearly all with my fathers and his own horses.
"He was pretty good. We are talking Cameron Hart. He was on a level with him, but when dad died, he stopped."
Mr White said his brother was an intelligent man who could seem very quiet or reserved but who loved his family.
"He loved his five kids, wife and family. He was absolutely devoted," Mr White said. "He was like an older brother to my kids. He would come home from work, and he would hook the go-kart up to the ute, and they loved it. We are all just asking the question 'why him'."
Riverina Police District Superintendent Bob Noble said the officers raised the alarm after hearing the loud bang when the heavy vehicle hit the railway overpass.
"They made a great effort to try and free the two injured occupants from the vehicle, and they were relieved by rescue and emergency services," he said.
"Two occupants of that heavy vehicle were removed, but unfortunately, both those gentlemen were declared deceased at the scene."
On Monday morning, Superintendent Noble said the victims of the tragedy were a 76-year-old man and a 70-year-old man, both residents of the Wagga local government area.
He said initial investigations show only one vehicle was involved, and speed was not a factor, adding that extensive forensic examinations were under way.
After being part of the response to the incident, Superintendent Noble said it was an incredibly tough one for first responders to attend.
"It was a ghastly scene. It was actually something I would describe as a freakish accident," he said.
"I have never seen anything quite like it or remotely like it in the 30 years of attending all manner of motor vehicle accidents.
"It was quite a freakish and unusual instance that has led tragically to the death of these two gentlemen who are local people who are going out about their business.
Superintendent Noble offered his condolences to the family and friends of the gentlemen.
"Our thoughts go out to the bereaved relatives, friends and social circles of these gentlemen," he said.
"It's tragic and terrible and a reminder of how ever-present the danger of serious injury or death is on our roads."
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