Car salesman dies after argument

An Auckland car salesman died yesterday after an argument with a customer.

Witnesses have told police the 47-year-old, who worked at the Great Wall car yard in Otahuhu, collapsed and died during an altercation with a customer, who left the scene before police arrived.

Colleagues of the man said he had worked at the car yard for about 2 1/2 months. They described him as hardworking and "like a brother".

A post-mortem examination of the man's body has been completed and the case referred to the coroner, police said today. They are not seeking anyone else in connection with the death.


Police said the stress of the altercation was probably too much for the man, who had medical problems.


The man he had struggled with had been interviewed and police said he could be charged with a very minor offence but that had yet to be decided.


A police spokesman said members of the investigating team were completing final witness statements today on behalf of the coroner and would then be stood down.

The man's name was due to be released later today.