ABC Home | Radio | Television | News | Your Local ABC | More Subjects… | Shop

Email

Busway worker killed after legs crushed

Posted December 1, 2008 18:05:00
Updated December 1, 2008 18:25:00

Police say a man who was critically injured in a workplace accident in Brisbane has died in hospital.

The man's legs were severed by a concrete beam that fell on a cherry picker around 12:00pm (AEST).

He was rushed into surgery at the nearby Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The man had been working on the Eastern Busway project at Woolloongabba.

Fire crews used airbags and hydraulic equipment to lift the beam, while paramedics performed CPR.

Workplace Health and Safety is investigating, and has issued a notice banning work on the site until a structural engineer can declare it safe.

Queensland Transport is not commenting on the accident, but says the previous safety record for the project had been excellent.

A second man who was injured is in a stable condition.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel has assured the men's families the Government will follow up any recommendations from Workplace Health and Safety inspectors.

"It's a tough time for the family," he said.

"Our sympathies, our prayers always go out to people, particularly at this time of the year.

"[Today when I visited the site], their work mates were devastated.

"Workplace Health and Safety inspectors are on the job carrying out that professional, independent inspection that families would require, and any recommendations from that of course we would follow up."

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, accidents, workplace-accidents, qld, brisbane-4000, woolloongabba-4102

2008 Year In Review

ABC News Online takes a look at the big stories from 2008.

Photos

Peter Siddle bowls AB de Villiers

Third Test

Relive the face-saving Sydney match via ABC News Online's photo gallery.

Watch

The orangutans huddle in blankets for warmth at Rome Zoo.

Cold comfort

Bearing up to Europe's big freeze is proving a problem for some, but a joy to others.

Listen

A patient is prepared for heart surgery

New hope

Organ donation has climbed to its highest level since transplants began here in the 1960s.