Death of All Black's niece investigated

Christina Mealamu

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Mealamu's niece dies in park mishap

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The death of the niece of All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu at a family touch tournament at an Auckland secondary school is being investigated as a workplace accident.

Christina Mealamu, 6, daughter of Keven's brother Luke and his wife Lasi, was crushed by a scrum machine on the Tamaki College grounds in Glen Innes, southeast of the city centre, on Saturday afternoon.

A three-year-old, believed to be Christina's brother Phoenix, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Middlemore Hospital. He was discharged later that day.

Department of Labour spokesman Eric Janse van Rensburg told NZPA the incident was being investigated as it happened in the grounds of a workplace.

"This death is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends."

Christina's death has also been referred to the coroner to consider whether an inquest is warranted.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has passed on a message of support from the team to Mealamu, who did not go on the All Blacks' end of year tour to the northern hemisphere due to injury.

- NZPA