By ALAN PERROTT
Peter Brough says a sudden torrent of water swept him to death's door, but the Lord sent him back.
The self-employed contractor from Mangere said he was working with his son, Danny, in a stormwater pipe when a flash flood hit them.
While his son was able to drag himself clear, Mr Brough was swept another 20m by the torrent.
He stopped himself by grabbing hold of a chain hanging from a warning sign.
After firefighters pulled him clear he said it could not have been his time to die.
"I don't think the Lord wanted me. He sent me back again."
The accident occurred on a site being developed by Federal Construction on James Cook Crescent in Newmarket about 1.30 pm yesterday.
Neither men suffered any serious injuries, but Mr Brough was taken to Auckland Hospital with a gash to his head.
Remuera Fire Station officer Tony Searle said Mr Brough was lucky not to have broken any bones.
"I don't know where the water came from, it wasn't raining or anything. But he was swept about 20 metres, then went into a culvert and dropped straight down. He was very lucky he didn't break any bones."
Metrowater spokeswoman Sharon Buckland said the pipeline was built for the development and was not part of the company's network.
Occupational Safety and Health spokesman Justin Brownlie said the incident was being investigated and a site inspection had already taken place.
No one from Federal Construction was available for comment.
To death's door and back
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.