Flipping lucky escape for hoist driver

Picture / Dean Purcell

The driver of this hoist was lucky to escape unharmed after the 30-tonne container he was moving flipped it over at the Ports of Auckland yesterday morning.

Auckland Stevedoring general manager Bob Aitken said it appeared the 12m container was weighted more heavily on one end than the other, causing it to flip the entire hoist upside down. The driver escaped shaken but uninjured, and the contents of the container - believed to be fruit juice destined for the Pacific Islands - have yet to be checked.

Mr Aitken expected there would be some damage to the contents, which would eventually be repacked and continue their journey. The hoist is also believed to have been damaged but is yet to be assessed.

Several investigations are under way, including ones by Occupational Safety and Health, the Ports of Auckland and Auckland Stevedoring.