Worker dies after digger plunges into sea in Auckland

A person has died after a digger plunged into the sea at a property in Stanley Point, Devonport, Auckland, on Wednesday morning.

According to a report by Stuff, police said they were notified at 10.47 am about a person critically injured in a vehicle-related incident at an address on Stanley Point Road. The person was pronounced dead at the scene, and WorkSafe has been notified.

A neighbour told Stuff that a digger had reportedly rolled down a cliff and gone over a seawall at a nearby property.

The neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said heavy machinery had been operating at the property in recent weeks as workers carried out landscaping, including planting trees.

“Somebody went to work Wednesday morning, and they're not going home Wednesday night; that's the bloody tragedy of it,” he said, Stuff has quoted.

The property is owned by Point Seventy Limited, whose sole shareholder is businessman Berridge Spencer, who features on the NBR Rich List with an estimated wealth of $1 billion.

A spokesperson for Point Seventy expressed condolences to the victim's family.

“It is devastating that a man has lost his life while working on our property today. Our hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew and loved him,” a spokesperson for Point Seventy said, as quoted by Stuff.

“We’re assisting Police and WorkSafe with their investigation.”

A woman who visited the police cordon with a bouquet of flowers told Stuff she had heard that a man had died after a digger went into the sea.

“He’s died. The digger. He went into the sea. It landed on him,” she said.

The woman said she did not know whether the victim lived locally but wanted to leave flowers after hearing about the tragedy.

“I just thought, poor family,” she said, Stuff has quoted.

Hato Hone St John confirmed it was notified of the incident at 10.43 am. One rapid response unit, an ambulance and an operations manager were dispatched to the scene, Stuff has reported.

Police established a cordon near the entrance to Secret Cove, with officers speaking to people in the area.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated by Police and WorkSafe.

The property has previously attracted attention over reports concerning an unconsented seawall and jetty.