Busy city intersection closed after roadworker dies

A road worker died yesterday after being struck by an earthmoving truck on an Auckland City Council roadworks site.

The accident happened on Remuera Rd near the Ladies Mile intersection at Ellerslie. Re-paving and resurfacing work is being done by roading company Blacktop, which has offices in Auckland, Hamilton and Timaru and employs about 150 staff. The company would not comment yesterday.

The road was closed while police and Labour Department health and safety officials began an investigation.

Auckland City Council's general manager for transport, Stephen Rainbow, said the accident was "extremely sad".

"Obviously our thoughts are with the family."

The dead worker's name was not released yesterday.

Labour Department spokesman Keith Stewart said an investigation could take months.

Roading New Zealand, the industry body representing road building companies, said the death was "deeply regrettable".