Wall collapses on building site worker

A digger holds up what is left of a clay retaining wall after it collapsed trapping a worker at the Lawton construction site in Orakei. Picture / Dean Purcell

A man suffered a suspected fractured femur after a clay retaining wall collapsed on him at a building site this morning.

The incident happened just before 10.30am at the Lawton site in Aotea St, Orakei.

St Heliers fire station officer Leon Ford said the man appeared to have been "in the wrong place at the wrong time" when a section of the 5m high wall collapsed on him.

Mr Ford said firefighters had to pull the injured but conscious man from under the clay without medication. They were worried that the unstable wall would continue to crumble on him otherwise.

The man is believed to have been an employee on the site.

OSH and police are investigating the incident.