Auckland port worker badly injured in fall

Photo / File / Greg Bowker

An Auckland port worker was hospitalised after falling at least 30 metres from the side of a boat yesterday.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust paramedics responded to the accident around 8pm last night.

Chief crewman Herby Barnes said they were called to help attending ambulance staff after the dockside worker fell.

"He landed in the water, the port's workers were able to recover him back up into the wharf.

"His injuries were a compound fracture of the left ankle with a fracture of the right femur."

The man had fallen between 30 and 40 metres, Mr Barnes said. He was then taken to Auckland City Hospital.

Ports of Auckland spokeswoman Dee Radhakrishnan said an investigation by Maritime New Zealand and "the appropriate authorities" was underway.

The man was "lashing" - securing containers on a ship - when he fell. "It's a terrible accident."