A large team of experts from Canterbury Police, WorkSafe NZ, NZ Fire Service and geotechnical experts have continued to work today to remove rock and debris covering the excavator in an effort to locate the driver and sole occupant.
Inspector Corrie Parnell from Canterbury Police who is overseeing the recovery operation says a geotechnical survey of the area was completed this morning by experts with input from the mining industry. “The safety of those working on the recovery operation is paramount and the findings of the geotechnical survey enabled us to make decisions on the techniques and resources required to undertake the recovery operation safely. An ambulance is on standby at the scene as a precaution and part of the site risk management plan.“
“Currently we are not considering the use of remote controlled equipment or drones however we have brought in heavy duty equipment such as excavators, bulldozers and winching equipment. This will be a staged and controlled recovery operation and we are making good progress in locating the driver.”
“So far today the team have removed 750 metric tonnes of limestone and debris from the area where the excavator was engulfed and we are getting to the stage where we have reached the top of the excavator cab area. Work is continuing to locate the driver“ explained Inspector Parnell.
Canterbury Police can confirm that the missing driver is understood to be 56 year old Murray George Taylor from Hurunui.
Murray’s family have provided the following comment: “Murray left for work as usual yesterday to do a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Murray is a much loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We wait in anticipation and ask that the media respect our family’s right to privacy at this time. Any further comment will be made through Police and we ask media do not contact us directly.”
WorkSafe NZ’s Chief Inspector Extractives, Tony Forster, says “WorkSafe NZ have issued a prohibition notice stopping all quarrying work on the site. There is no access to the site other than that associated with the official recovery operation. We have staff on site providing specialist technical advice and are assisting and ensuring that any activity on the site now is safe.”
Canterbury Police and WorkSafe NZ investigations are ongoing.
A media conference will be held at around 2.30pm this afternoon at the quarry gates.
No further update will be made today and more information will be released tomorrow.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404