12 Dec 2012

Site where men killed in storm still closed

11:55 pm on 12 December 2012

The construction site where three workers died during a combination of strong winds and a tornado in West Auckland last week is still not able to be re-opened.

The site was closed by health and safety officials after a concrete slab Tom Stowers, 42; Brendon Johnson, 22; and Keith Langford, 60, were installing fell on them on 6 December..

Hawkins Construction has had the area where the men died last Thursday blessed.

But it says the site is still being investigated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and police, and it's not known when people will be able to return to work.

The company has started a fund for the families of the men who died.

It says two funerals have been held, and the other will take place tomorrow.

So far 900 people have made insurance claims for property, water or vehicle damage as a result of the tornado.

That figure does not include Defence Force properties in the area.