Forklift tragedy probe begins

OSH is investigating the accident which killed Repanga William Taana. Picture / Hawke's Bay Today

Family members of long-serving forklift driver Repanga William Taana were at his Port of Napier workplace early yesterday - but their visit was a tragic one.

They were at the scene as emergency services finally freed Mr Taana's body from the crushed cab of the 74-tonne container forklift he had been driving.

Police said 49-year-old Mr Taana had been killed instantly early yesterday when the machine flipped over after a section of the wharf collapsed.

Police and port officials were saying little about what had happened, because it would now become the subject of an Occupational Safety and Health accident investigation.

It is understood there was an existing hole, covered by a thick steel plate, in the section of wharf which gave way.

A gaping square hole, about two metres by two metres and with broken concrete at one end, could be seen on the wharf about four metres from the overturned forklift.

The forklift had been carrying a fully loaded container during the loading of the vessel Forum Fiji.

The machine crashed on to its side and caught fire just after 1.15am.

The front section of the forklift was left hanging over the edge of the wharf and in the sea.

Other port workers were unable to get to Mr Taana and had to wait until the Fire Service and St John Ambulance arrived.

His body was eventually recovered about three hours later.

Stunned members of his family, alerted to the accident, were present as the body was freed and taken away.

A port employee for the past 16 years, Mr Taana had been working on a ship being managed by stevedoring company Toll Owens Ltd.

His employer, port chief executive Garth Cowie, would not comment specifically on what had happened, but said he and Mr Taana's other workmates were "devastated".

While work continued at a sombre rate yesterday, Mr Taana's death had knocked them badly.

"He was a great guy and much loved by all his mates," Mr Cowie said.

"We are working our way through this as best we can.

"Our concern and focus now is the welfare of his family."

Another employee, who did not want to be named, said everyone at the port was left "absolutely numb" by what had happened.

Inspectors from the Department of Labour arrived at the scene a short time after the accident.

They began an immediate investigation.

The area was cordoned off and more inspectors arrived mid-morning.