A Ports of Auckland worker killed after a straddle carrier he was driving tipped over has left colleagues “devastated”.
Laboom Midnight Dyer, 23, suffered critical injuries from the accident on August 27.
He was taken to Auckland City Hospital but died from his injuries on September 3.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson says everyone is “devastated by this news”.
“This is a terrible time for his family and friends, and we will continue to stand alongside them and support them.
“Everyone who works at Ports of Auckland has been deeply affected by this accident.
“We have been providing staff with support and we will continue to do everything we can to help people through this difficult time,” Gibson says.
Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) general secretary Joe Fleetwood says more safety regulations are needed.
“This tragic death indicates again the urgent need for enforceable regulations together with mandatory standards of work practices across the New Zealand waterfront.
“If the Government, port companies and stevedoring employers are serious about preventing deaths on the waterfront they must commit to reform the current lack of enforceable regulations.
“We again call on the Government, together with the Ports of Auckland and other employers, to get moving on it immediately before we witness another preventable death,” Fleetwood says.
The International Transport Federation (ITF) says it stands with the MUNZ in mourning.
“This is a tragedy. Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of their shift. Our thoughts are with the family of this young man, his workmates, friends and our comrades at MUNZ,” ITF dockers’ section chairman Paddy Crumlin says.
The incident is being investigated by WorkSafe, and Ports of Auckland.
