Wellingtonian Juan Pablo Lampe has died after being attacked by a stray bull in India.
He had worked for Weta Digital in Wellington, and was on holiday with his partner Paula when the freak accident took place.
Haylee Read, a close personal friend of Juan and Paula, told Newshub he was struck by a bull in the neck. Paula, a nurse, noted that the injury was serious and rushed him to a clinic nearby, he was then taken to hospital where he passed away.
The 29-year-old had moved to New Zealand from Argentina in 2009, worked as a Senior Compositor at Weta Digital and was an active member of the Latin community.
Mr Lampe's friend Julie Freer described him as "the most special friend I've ever known".
She said his favourite stomping ground was The Grand on Courtenay Place, where he attended many Latino musical events.
Mr Lampe would have celebrated his 30th birthday this coming Sunday.
"He played an important part in the Latin community and was a humble mentor to many," Ms Freer told Newshub.
"Juan was my best male friend who I fondly referred to as 'my little brother'. So many of us were touched in a very special way by the way he lived his life and how all in his presence were enriched through meeting and being friends."
His friends and family are holding a memorial tribute to him in Wellington this evening, and they plan to erect a park bench in his memory at his favourite place where he used to meditate.
A video has been organised by his close friends at Weta Digital.
Arrangements are being made to repatriate his body from Jaipur to his family in Argentina.
Newshub.
