The Defendant was a transport company operating in the Gisborne region.
The victim was engaged by an agent of the Defendant as a truck driver after another driver had left unexpectedly. The victim’s role was to transport logs from Puketoro Station to Eastland Port. The victim did not receive any training or health and safety induction prior to starting work.
The day of the incident was the victim’s first day in his role. The victim was found to have abandoned the cab and to become caught under the rear wheel of the truck.
The victim suffered multiple head, chest, abdominal, spinal and skeletal injuries as a result of the accident. These injuries were fatal.
Subsequent inspection of the truck and trailer found that both had multiple pre-existing crash faults. The general maintenance of the truck and trailer was below a reasonable standard
Charged in the alternative
• Sections 6 and 50(1)(a) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act
• Sections 18(1)(b) and 50(1)(a) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.