Police name youth killed in timber accident

A teenager killed when a huge stack of timber fell on him at Albany, north of Auckland, has been named as Riki Cameron Walker.

The 18-year-old, from Hatfields Beach north of Auckland, died instantly when the stack of timber, believed to weigh more than 10 tonnes, fell on him yesterday morning.

Police said it took more than an hour to free him but he was dead when ambulance officers got to him.

Inspector Les Paterson from the North Shore police said the youth died from crush injuries.

He could not say if he was wearing a safety helmet but said it would not have saved his life.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

- NZPA