Roofer dies after falling two storeys through skylight

A 35-year-old self-employed roofing contractor died when he fell two storeys through a plastic skylight, landing on concrete yesterday.

Carey Graeme Newman, who ran Allroof Services in Papatoetoe, was working alone on the metal roof of engineering company McGrath Industries in Kelston, West Auckland, when he fell about 6.30am.

Police said the husband and father died instantly of head injuries.

McGrath Industries managing director Chris McGrath said there were no witnesses to the accident on Cartright Rd as staff had not arrived for work.

Mr Newman was to start re-roofing the building yesterday.

A contractor from Re-Roof New Zealand was waiting in a truck on the road when the accident happened.

Owner Ian Leslie said the man and another worker on his way at the time were there to help Mr Newman.

Although he had his own company, Mr Newman often called on Re-Roof to help him with big jobs, Mr Leslie said.

The ladder Mr Newman had used to get on to the roof could yesterday be seen propped against the building and the skylight was missing.

Department of Labour spokesman Steve Jones said the department was investigating the accident.

"This death is a tragedy and the department's thoughts are with the victim's family, friends and workmates," he said.

Mr Jones said that in the nine months to the end of March, the department had been notified of 347 serious harm incidents involving falls from height, including six deaths.

The number of deaths was the same for the full year to March last year, out of a total of 471 serious harm incidents. The year before had three such deaths, among 253 serious harm incidents.

Roofing Association chief executive Lorraine Mills said yesterday that Allroof Services was not a member of the organisation.

"This tragedy has affected many in the roofing industry who have heard the news today. Without knowledge of the circumstances surrounding this accident, it brings home the dangers associated with working at height in general, and in particular, the extra risks involved when working around brittle or fragile roofing materials.

"Although Mr Newman and the roofing company involved were not members of our organisation, our heartfelt sympathies are extended to his family and work colleagues".