Seaman dies from crush injuries

The chief engineer of a cruise ship has died three weeks after being crushed during a fire drill.

The 34-year-old Australian had been fighting for his life in Hawke's Bay Hospital since the February 19 accident, when he was trapped between a fire door and a bulkhead on board the Oceanic Discoverer.

The cruise ship was moored in Napier and its 70 to 80 passengers were ashore at the time of the accident.

Maritime New Zealand and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission have both launched investigations into the man's death.

- NZPA