Fatality second for rubbish truck firm

Two investigations under way over deaths of workmen in similar circumstances

The Department of Labour is investigating the deaths of two men who worked for the same rubbish truck company after they were killed in similar accidents.

A 22-year-old man was killed on Tuesday morning when a rubbish truck reversed and ran over him.

The accident happened on Sutton Rd, in Brookby, while two rubbish collectors were walking alongside the truck.

One of them fell under the truck's wheels, police said.

The man killed worked for Alpha Refuse Collections, in Highbrook, in Manukau City.

The company operates 10 rubbish trucks under contract to Manukau City Council.

In March, another worker from the same company, 29-year-old Willie Nicholas, was killed in a similaraccident.

Mr Nicholas, of Otara, died when the rubbish truck backed over him in a driveway.

A Department of Labour spokesman last night confirmed it had been notified of the latest fatal incident and that an investigation was under way.

That comes on top of another investigation the department has - and which is ongoing - involving the fatal accident in March.

"All I can say is that the Department of Labour has been notified and we are investigating. Because of the March incident - the investigation is still ongoing - I cannot comment further," the spokesman said.

Alpha Refuse Collections did not return calls yesterday. But a worker told Radio New Zealand that it was a sad time for the company.