Man dies in machinery demonstration

A man has died after becoming trapped in machinery at a furniture-making plant in Auckland.

It is believed the man, who has not been identified, was using the new machinery as part of a demonstration at Criterion Manufacturing in East Tamaki.

Police, fire officers and an ambulance were called to the Ron Driver Place plant shortly before 5pm but the man was dead by the time they arrived.

An ambulance spokesman said he had become entangled in industrial machinery.

"Obviously, we raced there but the person was dead at the scene," he said.

Criterion, which has been operating in New Zealand for more than 35 years, specialises in home and office furniture.

Inspector Andy Brill, from the police northern communications centre, said a police investigation was underway and Occupational Safety and Health had been notified.