Fatal miscommunication haunts worker

A man says he is haunted by a miscommunication with his colleague that ended with his workmate being crushed under a truck ramp.

Jason Newton, 36, died while working at Forklifts NZ, in Hornby, Christchurch on February 12, 2016.

A coronial inquest into his death began on Monday in the Christchurch District Court before Coroner Marcus Elliott.

Newton’s former colleague, who has interim name suppression, told the court staff usually finished at 4pm on Fridays, with several staying around for a beer.

He said Newton told him earlier he wanted to leave at 4pm to see his son swim. About 3.40pm Newton told him they would ‘‘work as a team to get the job done’’.

Newton asked him to move the truck again.

He then heard Newton said ‘‘Come on mate, 10 minutes to go; get those strops done’’.

The colleague believed Newton was near his bench at the back of the workshop and wanted him to undo the strops.

He released the first strop and went to walk around the front of the truck to undo the second strop, however it released by itself and the rear ramp came down, striking Newton on the head. He did not know why the strop did not hold the ramp.

The worker, who no longer worked at Forklifts NZ, broke down in tears when he said it was ‘‘the worst day of my life’’.

‘‘It’s something I’ve been haunted by ever since. I go over and over that day in my head to try and work out what happened. I’m so very sorry for Jason’s family.’’

On Monday family members placed placards around the courtroom with various photos of Newton, his family and his friends. One was a sign featuring a picture of Newton with his young son Hunter on what was their final Christmas together.

WorkSafe inspector Christian Bell told the court it appeared the strop had not been properly done up.

WorkSafe decided no charge would be made under the Health and Safety Act, with police finding no criminal liability.

Former Forklifts NZ director and branch manager Allen Mawhinney on Monday told the inquest Newton was a ‘‘hardworking employee with a good work ethic’’.

Mawhinney said he returned to work about 4pm on the day of the incident, after spending time with clients, and heard a yell less than two minutes later.

‘‘I saw someone grabbing the side of the ramp. I helped lift it and saw Jason lying on the ground . . . I still wake at night seeing it, it was quite vivid.’’