Police name men killed in house collapse

Two men were killed when a digger knocked a house they were working on off its foundations at Manurewa Marae. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police have named of the two men who were crushed to death when a house collapsed in south Auckland yesterday.

They were Marsh Terahi Wiri Peihopa, 24, and Waepeke Ruihana Tupaea, 61.

The scene of the tragedy at Manurewa Marae is now under Labour Department control.

The department is investigating the accident in which the pair were killed after being trapped beneath the house as it was being relocated to the Marae around 12.45pm. Their bodies were recovered late yesterday after the house was stabilised.

Two others were taken to Middlemore Hospital, one with serious injuries and one with moderate injuries, and another two people escaped uninjured.

"The scene's been handed over to OSH (occupational safety and health), and the bodies have been removed from under the house and are undergoing mortuary procedures," Inspector Shawn Rutene told NZPA last night.

"They were at the marae for initial karakia (prayers) and safe journey, and now they have been taken from there."

The house collapsed after a digger excavating at the site apparently slid on a bank, flipped and crashed into the building.

The people trapped underneath were believed to be contractors working on the house's relocation.

T he house was understood to be a gift from the Manukau council and was to be used as a health centre at the marae.

It was to be positioned into a cutaway in a bank, the Stuff website reported.

The wooden house, 30 by 40 metres, has split lengthwise along a roof beam.

Manukau Mayor Len Brown spoke of his "deep distress" about the incident.

"Manukau City Council has a close relationship with Manurewa Marae and I am offering my personal condolences to the marae and to any contractors who may be on site," Mr Brown said.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples said he was shocked and upset to hear of the incident.

"Any death is a tragedy, and an accident that cuts down workers on the job is a terrible shock. I feel for their families, who will be so distressed at this time.

"The whole of the iwi kainga of Manurewa Marae will be devastated by this accident. I know the people so well, I visit Manurewa Marae all the time.

"I am keeping in touch with developments, and I know the people will be doing all they can to help the emergency services to rescue the injured and get them to hospital, and to care for the tupapaku in the proper way," Dr Sharples said.

- NZPA