Man crushed to death by granite slabs named

File photo / Northern Advocate

A man who died when 1500kg of granite fell on him in Motueka, 55km northwest of Nelson, this morning has been named.

He was 55-year-old local man Raymond Hibbs.

Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews, of Motueka police, said Mr Hibbs was unloading slabs of granite off the deck of a truck at Quaystone Ltd when they fell on him about 8am.

He would have been killed instantly, Mr Andrews said.

Mr Hibbs' family and Quaystone staff were being supported by Motueka Victim Support.

Police and Department of Labour inspectors were investigating the incident.

- NZPA