June 2, 2011
New Zealand

Cherry picker toppled at Transpower site killing one

3 News, www.3news.co.nz 2 June 2011

One man has been killed and another flown to hospital after an accident at a Transpower site near Makara.

Rescue staff says it appears a cherry picker, 10 metres in height, toppled down a hill with the two men in its basket.

The Transpower contractors were carrying out high voltage line work.

The injured man was flown by Westpac rescue helicopter from Oteranga Bay – near the Meridian wind farm – to Wellington Hospital.

He is in critical condition with serious leg and chest injuries.

Westpac Rescue spokesman Dave Greenberg told 3 News paramedics performed CPR on the second man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A no fly zone has been put in place over the area.

Department of Labour and Transpower officials have begun investigations.