Man who died in accident at dump named

The name of a man who died in Waikato Hospital on Sunday afternoon after suffering serious injuries while reversing at a Waihi refuse centre has been released.

Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Marcus Lynam said the man was 84-year-old Henning Petersen of Waihi.

"Just how Mr Petersen suffered his injuries is at the centre of the Serious Crash Unit investigation currently underway."

Hamilton police confirmed the 84-year-old Waihi man died in Waikato Hospital on Sunday night.

A witness said the man was dropping off rubbish at the Waihi Refuse Transfer Station about 10.20am on Sunday when he accelerated too hard which caused the car to spin out.

Transfer station staff member Alan Irvine saw the incident unfold in front of him.

"He's gone to reverse his vehicle and he's opened his door to see where he's reversing and he's put his foot down on the accelerator too hard.

The car spun around and threw him out of the car," he said.

"He was very lucky that the car didn't run over him. He was dragged for about a metre before he was totally thrown out."

Mr Irvine said the man, who visited the dump about once a fortnight, had nasty cuts and grazes.

A police spokesperson said the serious crash unit were yesterday at the scene investigating the accident.