A 25 strong team led by Canterbury Police with specialist support from Alpine Cliff Rescue, WorkSafe NZ and Mines Engineering will continue the operation today to locate the driver of an excavator engulfed by falling rocks and debris yesterday morning.
Inspector Corrie Parnell says the specialist team were unable to work at the scene overnight due to the instability of the rock face. “Unfortunately the SAR operation has now moved into a recovery phase which may take a number of days to complete. Overnight the specialist team made good progress on planning the activities to be undertaken today and identified specialist equipment and resources that may need to be sourced from outside the District.”
Weather conditions in the area are predicted to remain favourable but the strong winds are reducing visibility on the site due to dust.
WorkSafe NZ have been advised are at the scene.
“Canterbury Police and Victim Support are working with and supporting the man’s family. This is a very distressing and emotional time for them, his colleagues and employer. His family and employer do not wish to make any comment to media at this time and have asked Police to release any statements to media on their behalf” explained Inspector Parnell.
Due to the complexity of the physical environment it is difficult to estimate how long the SAR operation will take.
A media advisory will be sent out with the details of when/where the next media briefing will be.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404