Man hit by rogue van dies

File Photo

The Department of Labour is investigating after a construction worker died after being struck by a runaway van near Tauranga today.

Emergency services were called at 11.07am to Castlewold Drive in Bethlehem, on the western outskirts of Tauranga, and found the victim in cardiac arrest.

An ambulance spokesman told NZPA staff worked for 30 minutes trying to resuscitate the man but he was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.

Senior Sergeant Wayne Lambert said the van rolled down from a steep driveway directly across the road from where the man was working.

"Two of the men managed to get out of the way but the third one didn't," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Mr Lambert said the victim's co-workers were being counselled nearby.

Attempts were being made to formally identify the man and contact next of kin.

A Department of Labour spokesman told NZPA it had been notified and an investigation had been launched.

- NZPA