Man tries to auction amputated leg

A Nelson man's plan to sell his amputated leg has been tripped by police and an internet auction website.

Shane Torrance, 42, whose tattooed right leg was amputated 15 months ago, wants to sell it to cover his debts and raise money for his daughter who has diabetes, The Nelson Mail reported today.

He was wanting to auction the limb, which he keeps in a freezer, on the auction website Trade Me with a reserve of $3000.

The leg was withdrawn from the website within hours of being listed yesterday.

A shocked Trade Me business manager Mike O'Donnell said sale of body parts was not allowed on the site, mainly because it was distasteful.

The leg was viewed by 20 people but no bids had been placed before it was withdrawn at 9am.

Nelson Bays police area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said police would be looking at the legalities of Mr Torrance's actions.

"There's probably a significant public interest factor in this matter to scope out the possibility of it being an offence under the Crimes Act or the Human Tissues Act."

The leg was amputated below the knee last February when it became ulcerated. Mr Torrance had been a type one diabetic since he was 20.

- NZPA