The Star: January 26, 2017

More documents

Recommendations

Info

28 Thursday January 26 2017 follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch The Star News Chch man killed in Qatar World Cup stadium • By Matthew Theunissen, Simon Plumb, A CHRISTCHURCH-born man has died while working on the massive stadium build in Qatar for football’s 2022 World Cup. Zac Cox, 40, is thought to have died instantly when equipment failed and he fell from a catwalk platform at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, which is being renovated in preparation for the 2022 tournament. An investigation has been launched into how the tragedy happened – the second death in a matter of months fuelling fresh controversy over preparations for the FIFA tournament. Good friend Steve Wilson said Mr Cox was much-loved among his wide network of friends here. “He was a close friend of mine, a close friend of many people,” he said. “He touched so many people with his beautiful spirit and heart.” Mr Cox was a man in tune with his spiritual side and spent about eight years living at the Anahata Yoga Retreat in Golden Bay, where he became heavily involved in yoga. He left about three years ago to work in the construction industry. TRAGIC: Zac Cox died instantly when a hoist failed as he worked on a World Cup stadium in Qatar. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES “Just a few years ago he got a ticket so he could work off a high wire. He was over there earning money because he was going to come back,” Mr Wilson said. “I felt like he was my younger brother, he was also so incredibly wise for his age.” Mr Cox had great tragedy in his life when his wife, Betsy, died of breast cancer, aged 30. He had since found love again and was intending to remarry. “He met another beautiful girl and they were planning to move back here and marry,” Mr Wilson said. “The last communication I had with him was an email he sent me about January 1 or 2, and he said he was going back in Doha on the sixth, see how that goes and then he was going to come over here.” Mr Wilson had spoken to Mr Cox’s mother, who still lives in Christchurch. “What she [the mum] said was they were installing a catwalk high up on the structure, he was standing on it, there was an equipment failure and dropped. He fell and would have died instantly on impact,” he said. “Good to know how it happened and he didn’t suffer a protracted death.” It is the second confirmed death of an employee working on a 2022 World Cup work site in the past three months. In October, 29-year-old Nepali man Anil Kumar Pasman was killed after being struck by a water tanker at the Al Wakrah Stadium building site, according to Doha News. Last year, Amnesty International raised the alarm about conditions for workers refurbishing the stadium, and accused Qatar of using forced labour and putting profit before safety. It followed previous reports in 2015 of some 1200 workers who died building stadiums in Qatar for the World Cup. The Khalifa Stadium was due to be finished at the end of 2016 but that deadline was pushed out to March this year. Construction firm Midmac- Six Construct said Mr Cox – who was wearing a harness and other safety gear – fell when a lever hoist failed. “Sadly, the harness was cut during the fall with a fatal outcome. What caused the cut is subject to further investigation.” The organisation responsible for delivering the stadiums and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “An immediate investigation into the cause of this fatality is under way and further details will be released in due course. “The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy shares our deepest condolences with the family for their loss.” – NZ Herald Status quo New order Who will we listen to in 2017? | THE MIKE HOSKING BREAKFAST | 6am – 8.30am weekdays NEWSTALKZB.CO.NZ CHRISTCHURCH 100.1FM
The Star follow us on facebook.com/riseupchristchurch Thursday January 26 2017 29 Merivale Retirement Village - when only the best is good enough. Considering a happy and healthy retirement in the heart of Merivale? A unique opportunity has arisen to purchase a stunning Palazzo apartment in the heart of our Merivale community. Our Palazzo apartments boast all modern conveniences, spacious walk in ensuite bathrooms, generous bedrooms and a comfortable living / dining area. These apartments would be an ideal choice for those not wishing to make a compromise with maintaining their independence, but want the peace of mind knowing that help is just a call away. Our staff can provide care services to meet your needs where necessary whilst ensuring that you experience independent living at its very best. Also available: Rooms with a continuum of care from rest home to full hospital level care delivered by our highly trained & qualified staff. MERIVALE RETIREMENT VILLAGE Call us to arrange a tour of our amazing facility: 375 4117 60 Browns Road, Merivale www.merivaleretirement.co.nz When only the best is good enough Villas • Apartments • Studios • Rest Home • Hospital
Page 1 and 2: TALE WITH A TWIST Roles reversed in
Page 3 and 4: The Star follow us on facebook.com/
Page 27: The Star follow us on facebook.com/
Page 45 and 46: 1 Complete and attach to clothing b

The Star: January 26, 2017

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?