• A person has died after a crane tyre exploded in Harewood, Christchurch, the Herald understands.
• WorkSafe has opened an investigation into the worker’s death, gathering evidence at the scene.
• An ex-tyre fitter warned about the dangers of large crane tyres and their explosive force.

A person has died after a crane tyre exploded at a construction yard in Harewood, Christchurch.

The death was reported at 9.15am, police said.

The Herald understands the tyre exploded at Smith Crane and Construction on Johns Rd.

A worker nearby said she saw emergency services gathered at the site.

“There are a lot of sirens.”

A police spokesperson said police would be making inquiries on behalf of the coroner.

Hato Hone St John was called to the scene at 9.14am, sending an ambulance, rapid response vehicle and an operations manager.

It asked the media to refer all questions to police.

WorkSafe has also been advised.

A spokesperson for WorkSafe said an investigation into the death had been opened.

“Our investigators are heading to the scene to gather evidence to understand the circumstances.

“WorkSafe extends its sympathy to the whānau, friends and colleagues of the worker.”

A former tyre fitter, who spent a decade in the industry, said large tyres such as those found on cranes had been known to flip fleet trucks with the force of their explosions if the tyres burst.

The man, who did not want to be named, said the volume inside the tyre was the main concern, and the force of the compressed air was just one danger. There was also a risk that rings from the assembly into which the tyre fitted could be sent flying.

He was aware of one incident at a former workplace where one such ring was propelled by a tyre explosion, sending the ring through a wall and causing it to burst a nearby water main.

People had been known to be thrown off their feet by tyre explosions, he said.