The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's mourning the loss of one of its staff members, who died in a four-wheel drive ute accident.

Michael Taylor was killed on a rural farm in Ashley Clinton, after the vehicle he was travelling in left a track and rolled.

Council chairman Rex Graham said the 44 year old had called the office on Friday as he was leaving the farm site, and that was the last they'd heard from him.

He said Michael Taylor was married, with two young children, who are understandably distraught.