Teen rescued after man crushed by collapsing wall
Robyn Wuth |
A dramatic rescue has saved a teenager after a wall collapsed and crushed a worker in the second fatal workplace accident in as many days.
The retaining wall gave way on Tuesday as workers were on site just before 8.30am in Brisbane’s West End during construction on Boundary Street.
Two workers, aged 45 and 19, were trapped when the wall toppled, with the younger man pinned by his legs under massive blocks of concrete.
Firefighters inflated special airbags around the injured teen to raise the concrete to drag him from the rubble.
The meticulous rescue operation took more than 90 minutes before the worker could be released and taken to hospital in a stable condition with serious leg injuries.
The second man died at the scene.
It is the second workplace fatality in Queensland in 24 hours, after a 15-year-old boy died on the Gold Coast on Monday.
Beau Bradford was killed instantly at a Surfers Paradise construction site when he was struck by a large object that fell from the boom of a concrete pump truck.
Police said the death was not suspicious, with authorities describing it as a “freak accident”.
An online fundraiser remembered the teenager as kind and caring, with a quick sense of humour that could brighten any room.
“Beau wasn’t built for classroom walls – he was built for real work,” organiser Alicia Downs said.
“He loved being on-site, learning new things, and pushing himself.
“He had a work ethic that many adults spend a lifetime trying to find and he was so incredibly proud of the path he was carving for himself.”
Donations have been pouring in, with the fundraiser reaching more than $55,000 by Tuesday afternoon as the family struggles with their grief.
“There is no preparation for a loss like this. Our entire family is heartbroken beyond words as we try to navigate the unimaginable.”
Despite restricted site access under state legislation, CFMEU officials are assisting authorities with the investigation.
“We have been deeply saddened by these incidents and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers,” CFMEU QLD & NT executive officer Jared Abbott said.
“Nothing is more important than worker safety. Companies must uphold the highest safety standards on job sites across the state.”
Workplace Health and Safety are investigating both fatal incidents, with police preparing separate reports for the coroner.
AAP
