Russian seaman killed on container ship

A Russian seaman was crushed to death on board a Russian container ship at the port of Lyttleton last night.

The man, from Vladivostok, was onboard the ship as it was pulling clear of the berth at Cashin Quay 4 when he was crushed by one of the ship's lines onboard the vessel.

Lyttleton Port of Christchurch spokeswoman Sarah Aldworth said the ship - the Yuriy Ostrovskiy - reberthed and police and Maritime New Zealand were investigating the accident.

The vessel and its 17 crew were scheduled to leave later today, she said.

- NZPA