Engineer dies in fall from roof at Middlemore Hospital

A much-valued staff member has fallen to his death in an accident at Middlemore Hospital. Photo/NZME

An engineer has died after falling from a roof at Middlemore Hospital.

Staff at the busy South Auckland hospital are in shock after the valued and highly respected worker fell from the top of the main Galbraith building about 9pm yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Darrell Harpur, Counties Manukau Police said police were called to the hospital on Wednesday evening after a man was reported to have fallen from a roof.

He died at the scene.

"Police are conducting inquiries and believe there are no suspicious circumstances," Harpur said.

"The matter has been referred to the coroner."

Counties Manukau District Health Board spokeswoman Lauren Young said the man had been called in to do work on the roof when tragedy struck.

"It's awful. It's a tragic accident," said Young.

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family at this time."

The man had worked at the hospital for a number of years.

She said his colleagues are shocked and deeply saddened and counselling has been offered to those affected.

The death has been referred to the Coroner but WorkSafe has not been notified about the death.

A spokesman said it was the duty of the business to notify the government department of workplace accidents.

A small area of the busy hospital was cordoned off, but it remained open to patients and was operating normally.