Child hurt on airport conveyor

A young boy suffered a serious arm injury yesterday after he was carried on a luggage conveyor at Auckland International Airport.

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said Aviation Security Service (Avsec) staff “were extremely surprised to discover a child in the baggage handling system” after he got on a baggage conveyor belt at the check-in counters about 3pm.

“As soon as the child was detected, Avsec staff moved quickly to rescue him,” he said.

“They comforted the child and administered first aid until medical staff arrived.”

A full investigation of the incident was under way, he said.

A St John spokesman said they transported the toddler to Middlemore Hospital. He was in a serious but stable condition, he said.

“We understand it was a conveyorbelt-related incident.”

A Middlemore Hospital spokesperson said the boy was in a stable condition.

Staff at Auckland International Airport were reviewing the security footage to establish what had happened, and how.

Auckland Airport general manager operations Anna Cassels-Brown said its “first concern is for the welfare of the wee boy and his mum”.

“We have also advised WorkSafe NZ this afternoon, and have started our investigation to find out how this happened.”