A worker had a fortunate escape after being buried in gravel tipped from a truck at an East Tamaki, Auckland, work site this morning.
It is understood the man, a subcontractor, became trapped under a load of roading gravel being unloaded from a truck at Fulton Hogan’s aggregate site on Stonedon Drive.
A truck with its tray tipped up could be seen at the property.
Police, Fire and Emergency and St John Ambulance attended the scene.
Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman Colin Underdown said they were initially told the man was buried under sand, however it later transpired to be a fine gravel.
Otara fire officer James Hall said that by the time fire crews arrived, the man’s workmates “had cleared 90 per cent” of the gravel off him.
The crew finished clearing the rest away, maintained an airway and stopped any other gravel falling on top of him.
Hall said he understood the man was the driver of the truck and “somehow he’s ended up at the rear of it as he’s been tipping”.
St John confirmed staff had treated a 50-year-old male who was transported to Middlemore Hospital in a status two, or serious, condition.
A police spokesman said the man suffered a fractured arm from the gravel.
story source: www.stuff.co.nz
