The passing of Whakatane-based works engineer for the BOP Regional Council Arch Delahunty is being remembered by his colleagues.

He was the man who died on Wednesday, when the car he was driving was hit by a train at Otamarakau, near Matata.

Arch had been with the former Bay of Plenty Catchment Commission back in the 1970s and returned to the regional council 12 years ago. Flags outside Bay of Plenty Regional Council are flying at half-mast today in his honour.

'Arch was a well-loved and dedicated member of staff,” says regional council chair Doug Leeder.

'We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing and our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Arch's engineering work was an integral part of who he was, says rivers and drainage manager Bruce Crabbe.

'Arch was a humble man with many talents, squash being a questionable one, and a wicked sense of humour. It's unfair when the good ones go before they should.”

Regional council chief executive Mary-Anne Macleod says Arch's colleagues and friends within the organisation are struggling to come to terms with the news.

'Arch was part of our extended whanau. His strong connections with people go right through our organisation, so we ask for understanding at this tragically unexpected time.”

Kua hinga he totara nui

Ngaueue ana te whenua

Makere mai ana nga roimata

Kua mokemoke nga hoa mahi

A great totara has fallen

And it has reverberated across the land

Tears have fallen

And colleagues are forlorn

A farewell for Arch will be held at 11am on Monday, July 10 at the Whakatane Baptist Church on Keepa Road.