Falling tree kills man in Taranaki

Photo / File photo

A man who died after being hit by a falling tree in North Taranaki this morning has been named as Adam Tony Olsson of Waitara.

Mr Olsson, 23, was carrying out tree felling work at the time of the incident, police said. They are investigating and working closely with the government's labour department.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

It prompted the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) to call for a Government inquiry into health and safety in the forestry industry.

The CTU said it was the fourth death in the industry this year.

"Since 2008 there have been 26 fatalities in the forestry industry and nearly 900 accidents causing serious harm," said president Helen Kelly.

"This is a shocking toll with a very real human cost to the families and communities left behind."

Ms Kelly said New Zealand had twice the death rate of Australia and six times that of the UK.