Van runs over man

Rescuers take Shi Jun Zhang's body away after a runaway van killed him. Photo / Sam Ackland

Builders tried desperately to save a man after he was killed by a runaway van which rolled over him.

Shi Jun Zhang, 53, died on Friday when a van parked on an incline across the road from his Tauranga property careered into him and two other men he was talking to.

No one was in the van and it appears the hand brake failed.

The builders working nearby rushed to lift the van from Zhang using a timber lift but it was too late. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Zhang died at the scene.

Zhang had bought the property in the suburb of Bethlehem three years ago but construction of his home had started only a week ago.

Sergeant Wayne Lambert said the death was "particularly tragic" because Zhang was managing the building of the new home for him and his wife. Their adult son is living in Auckland.

He said police had impounded the van for examination. Early indications were that there was a problem with the brakes.

One contractor who witnessed the accident said it was a traumatic experience for all. "I'd rather not talk about it," he said.

A friend of Zhang, David Leong, said Zhang's wife and friends were in shock.

Neighbour Phillipa de Fluiter said she had seen Zhang and a group of men on the property at times when she walked her dog.

Work on the site had been progressing well. "Last Saturday they just put in the concrete footing. I thought, that's quick. I wasn't expecting it to be built on at all."

She was sad to hear of the accident. "It's just awful. Somebody who had dreamed of this beautiful home, and now who knows what will happen, whether they will carry on? So many dreams in place and shattered by some tragic accident."