Photo/John Borren
A 24-year-old man has died after becoming trapped under a 45 tonne rock cutter while working at a Tauranga quarry today.
Police confirmed the man's death this afternoon after emergency services were called out to the Oropi Quarry about 12.15pm.
The man died at the scene.
Police have stated that the Fire service were working through the process of righting the vehicle to retrieve the man.
The Police Serious Crash unit will be investigating the cause of the accident.
Occupational Safety and Health have been notified.
Sergeant Tristan Murray said police would not be commenting as the matter is being investigated by Worksafe NZ, and had also been referred to Tauranga's coroner.
The police were in attendance as agents for the Coroner which was standard procedure for a sudden death, and the deceased's name would be released once his next-of-kin had been notified.
12.55pm: A man is trapped under a heavy dump truck at a quarry in Oropi.
Fire service northern communications spokesman Jaron Phillips said specialised heavy rescue equipment was being sent out to the scene from Tauranga.
''It is a man trapped under a heavy dump truck,'' Mr Phillips said.
EARLIER: A man is missing after an incident involving a rock cutter in a quarry in Oropi, Tauranga.
Fire service northern communications spokesman Jaron Phillips said emergency services were still responding to the incident.
Mr Phillips said reports had come in that a person was missing after a rock cutter rolled at the quarry.
It is understood specialised rescue equipment and volunteers are also on the way.
When contacted by the Bay of Plenty Times, a staff member at the quarry declined to comment.
More soon.
'He has disregarded our voice and continued with this divisive kaupapa.'