Worker hurt on New Zealand’s largest demolition project remains in induced coma.
The father of eight who fell off a ladder while working on the Hotel Grand Chancellor will have major surgery today as he continues to recover in Christchurch Hospital.
Chris Ngatai, 42, of Linwood, suffered a broken neck and head injuries when he fell while working between the 23rd and 24th floors on January 20.
Ngatai has worked for Fletcher Construction in Christchurch for six years, starting as a labourer and rising through the ranks, directing and driving cranes with the construction giant.
Operation manager Jack Harris said Ngatai was a family man who loved music and who mentored Maori children.
“He gets on very well with all his peers throughout the company and none of them would have a bad word to say about him.”
Harris said Ngatai, who has been in an induced coma since the accident, was recovering slowly.
“He’s going OK. He’s got a big operation [today] to fix a few things.”
It was too early to say if Ngatai would make a full recovery, Harris said.
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Our thanks to Lawrence Roberts at Avonsidechch for bringing this article to our attention.
