Contractor in court over marae deaths

The deaths of two men when a house being moved fell on them at a south Auckland marae last year will have another sequel in court today.

Deon Williams, an employee of the Auckland contracting company fined in court a fortnight ago, will appear in Manukau District Court to defend a charge that he failed to take all practicable steps to ensure his actions did not cause harm to any other persons.

Earlier this month Wiremu Asphalt Contractors was ordered to pay reparation of $28,900 after two men were killed and two others were seriously injured when the house collapsed at Manurewa Marae in June, 2009.

Marsh Peihopa and Waepeke Tuapaea were employees of Andrews Housemovers Limited, which had been contracted by the Manurewa Marae to relocate the house to its new site.

They were working under the house when it was hit by a truck and collapsed on top of them killing them. Two other employees of Andrews Housemovers Limited were injured.

- NZPA