Port accident crushes man's leg

A man is in Southland Hospital after his leg was crushed in an incident at Bluff this morning.

Labour Department health and safety inspectors are investigating after the 44-year-old Bluff man suffered severe crush injuries while unloading a pack of MDF (medium density fibreboard) at South Port about 5.45am.

The department's chief advisor for health and safety, Mike Cosman, said an employee of South Port NZ Ltd was opening the curtain of a railway wagon to unload packs of MDF when one fell out of the wagon, landing on his legs.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said the incident happened at South Port's Island Bay cargo depot.

The man's right leg was crushed by the pack of MDF weighing 740kg. It appeared the packet may have shifted during transport from the manufacturer.

He was taken to Southland Hospital, Invercargill, and was understood to be having surgery late this morning.

South Port chief executive Mark O'Connor said the company was investigating the incident in conjunction with the Labour Department.

"It's very unfortunate," Mr O'Connor said. "We're still awaiting a full report on the extent of his injuries."

- NZPA