5 Apr 2010

Engineers inspect wall that collapsed, killing toddler

6:00 am on 5 April 2010

Civil engineers for the Waitakere City Council have inspected the wall that collapsed and killed a toddler.

Deeana Robertson, who was 15-months-old, died when the wall collapsed onto her in the suburb of Massey at about 11am on Saturday.

Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey visited the Robertson family on Sunday to pass on his condolences.

Massey ward councillor Linda Cooper says civil engineers have inspected the wall and their report will be passed on to the police.

Ms Cooper says the excessively dry weather is causing a lot of structures, such as roads, to dry out and crack, and the council is advising people to check the safety of brick structures on their properties.

The chair of the Masonry Trades Registration Board, Derek James, says tree roots and dry ground can affect a brick wall.

He advises people to give their brick walls a small shake, and if the wall rocks it's probably dangerous and needs to be seen to.

Ms Cooper says she thinks the tragedy is a freak accident and no one is at fault.