Investigation into trapped man's death

Police and the Labour Department are investigating the death of a Blenheim man who became trapped in a shingle sorting machine yesterday.

The 44-year-old man, whose name has yet to be released, died at Powell Contractors in Renwick, 10km west of Blenheim, about midday when he got caught between the conveyor arm and the main body of the machine.

The man was working alone and there were no witnesses, police said.

It was thought he may have been trying to move one of the conveyor arms.

Work colleagues freed him from the machinery but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

He died at the scene.

- NZPA