A man has died after being crushed by a garbage truck during a workplace incident in Queensland.
The man, a 53-year-old mechanic, had been called to fix the truck after it broke down on a road in Yatala, north of the Gold Coast.
The man was called to the break down around 10am to look at what the driver believed was a hydraulics’ issue.
As he got to work, it’s believed he became trapped, crushed by the machinery.
Witnesses described the accident as “horrific”.
“His mate started screaming that he couldn’t shut the machine down in time,” a witness said.
The driver of the truck, a 42-year-old Brisbane man, was treated at the scene for shock by emergency services and is cooperating with police.
Senior Sergeant Chris Tritton said the tragic accident required a thorough investigation by Workplace Health and Safety.
“Maybe all precautions were taken but wither way we have a case where unfortunately a good person lost their life on a day at work,” Mr Tritton said.
“Obviously a work place death needs to be seriously investigated but that could take some considerable time.”
In a statement, the garbage truck company REMONDIS said counselling is being offered to its employees.
Police and Workplace Health and Safety will continue to investigate the incident.
Source: 9News
