KEY POINTS:
A man was killed at a Christchurch factory yesterday while working with machinery.
Alan Pitcaithly, 52, was using compression moulds in the incident at the Skellerup Industries Ltd factory in Woolston about 4pm.
The Labour Department is investigating.
Mr Pitcaithly was understood to have been crushed when machinery fell on him, but a Labour Department spokeswoman said details were unavailable.
Occupational safety and health inspectors would prepare a report for a coroner's inquest.
Skellerup Industries Ltd managing director Donald Stewart said staff at the factory were devastated by Mr Pitcaithly's death.
He had been employed by Skellerup for more than 30 years and worked at a number of the company's plants.
Mr Stewart said Skellerup was working with Labour Department inspectors as they investigated the incident.
"It is still unclear exactly what the cause of the accident was," Mr Stewart said.
He said the company's focus was with Mr Pitcaithly's family "and to support our staff".
Several workers had been in the same area as Mr Pitcaithly when the incident happened.
"He was a very valued and very well-loved worker," Mr Stewart said.
"It's a difficult time for everyone. We're all devastated."
- NZPA
