June 2, 2011
New Zealand

Man killed in accident near Makara windfarm

www.stuff.co.nz 2 June 2011

One worker has been killed and another critically injured after an accident near the Makara windfarm, south of Wellington.

Ambulance spokeswoman Brenda Slieker said the injured man was taken by the Westpac rescue helicopter to Wellington hospital after the accident at a Transpower worksite. He suffered leg and chest injuries.

Rescue helicopter crewman Dave Greenberg said co-workers performed CPR on the second man, but he was pronounced dead by a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic at the scene.

The injured man is understood to be 34 and from the Philippines.

The men were contractors for a company called Electrix that was carrying out maintenance and lines work at the site, Transpower spokeswoman Adele Fitzpatrick said.

Greenberg said it appeared a cherry-picker, or similar piece of machinery, toppled while working on the side of a hill.

The accident happened about 9am at a Transpower worksite near Oteranga Bay. Department of Labour investigators are investigating.

Workers at the windfarm would not comment this morning. Construction work was continuing at other sites around the area.

The windfarm, which is on the ridges east of South Makara Rd, has 62 turbines, each 67m high with 40 metre blades. The power scheme generates power for about 70,000 homes.

Oteranga Bay is the site of a wharf where wind turbine components are transported, and is linked to the windfarm by 42-kilometres of road.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/02/man-killed-in-accident-near-makara-windfarm/