A Hong Kong worker died after being struck by a crane cage, allegedly caused by machinery malfunction, at a housing project construction site.

Police said on Saturday that the 41-year-old man lost consciousness after being crushed under the cage elevator while trying to move items on the site of Pavilia Farm III at 13:30.

He was crushed by the iron frame of the cage when part of his body fell on him and he was left unconscious.

Police said preliminary investigations showed that the crane cage suddenly failed before falling, leaving the man trapped on the ground while carrying material.

Rescue teams arrived at the scene and took the worker to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin for emergency treatment, but the worker was pronounced dead at 14.25.

Police investigated the cause of the incident and classified it as an “industrial accident”.

The man is reportedly married in mainland China and has children aged 6 and 13.