Hawkins Construction statement - Hobsonville

Media statement

7 December, 2012

4.35pm

Hawkins Construction says its thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the three men tragically killed at its Hobsonville School building site in West Auckland when it was hit by yesterday’s devastating and unexpected tornado.

Four other men working on the building site were injured during the tornado and admitted to hospital; one remains in a stable condition, and three have now been released.

Hawkins Construction Executive General Manager Dan Ashby says that Hawkins is working closely with the four subcontracting companies involved to provide assistance and support to the affected families and the men’s workmates.

“This has been a terrible tragedy for the families of those killed and injured, and everyone involved in the project is deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened. We are also mindful of the devastating impact the tornado has had on the wider Hobsonville and Whenuapai communities, and we have offered our support.”

Mr Ashby says Hawkins is establishing a public donations fund for the families of the men killed. More details will be available early next week.

Civil Defence and the Police are jointly leading the recovery operation in the affected Hobsonville area following yesterday’s freak weather event. As part of this, the secondary school construction site is currently under the control of the Police and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Hawkins is continuing to support them while they complete their investigations.

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