Roofing contractor's death to be investigated

Cashel Mall in Christchurch after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which struck the city on February 22. Photo / Simon Baker

The death of a 55-year-old Christchurch roofer has been referred to the coroner and will also be investigated by police and the Department of Labour.

Mathew John Down was fixing a leaky roof on a Clarkson Ave site, between Cashel and Lichfield Streets in the central city, when he died on Thursday.

His son Gary, who was working with him at the time, said they were assessing the roof when his father leant against the polystyrene panel wall of an adjoining property.

His father was electrocuted as soon as he touched the panel, he told the Press.

By the time the ambulance arrived Mr Down was dead.

The building was not located in the red zone, or in any of the other zoned areas in the CBD. He was not undertaking earthquake-related work, police said.

- NZPA