Dramatic underground rescue

• Published date: 21 April 2024
• Author: Cherie Howie
• Publication title: Herald on Sunday

The man was initially thought to have been seriously injured in the incident, which sparked a large emergency response with seven fire appliances rushing to the site as well as police and paramedics

However Watercare said yesterday afternoon the man escaped with only minor injuries after being trapped by the sheet pile — similar to a retaining wall — in the 6m-deep chamber.

“We are relieved our worker is not seriously injured and we’d like to thank emergency services for their quick response,” Watercare chief programme delivery officer Shayne Cunis said. “Safety remains our first priority and we will be investigating this incident.”

The incident happened just before 9am yesterday at the Haverstock Rd, Sandringham site of the Watercare Central Interceptor project where workers are building a massive tunnel between central Auckland and the Māngere wastewater treatment plant.

With a medic dangling by his side, the subcontractor was put on a stretcher and lifted out of the underground chamber by crane. He was...