Colleagues 'extremely shocked' by death of Auckland man in workplace accident

Tuesday, 26 May 2020

The incident happened at Alto Packaging in Unity Dr, Rosedale.

The death of a man following a workplace accident in Auckland on Monday night has left his colleagues 'shocked'.

The incident happened at Alto Packaging on Unity Drive in an industrial area of Rosedale, on Auckland's North Shore.

Police said emergency services were called to the scene around 7.35pm on Monday.

A police spokesperson said the matter would be investigated by WorkSafe NZ.

'Police will release further details regarding the identity of the deceased once formal identification procedures have been carried out and next-of-kin advised.

'Our thoughts and sympathies are with the man's family during what will be a very difficult and tragic time for them,' the spokesperson said.

Eric Kjestrup, the executive general manager for Alto Packaging, said the man who died was a “valued employee” of the company.

'We are all extremely shocked by what has happened. Right now our focus is on supporting his family and co-workers the best we can.”

Police tape could still be seen at Alto Packaging on Tuesday morning.

Kjestrup said the company was “cooperating fully” with other agencies, including the police and WorkSafe.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman confirmed it had been notified of the death and it was investigating.

'We understand machinery was involved,' she said.

Alto's website says it is one of New Zealand's leading rigid plastic packaging companies.

'We have been operating for over 62 years and today have eight plants in New Zealand and four sites in Australia.

'Collectively, these plants employ over 1,100 people and specialise in extrusion and thermoforming, blow moulding and injection moulding.'