'It was like trying to get him out of quicksand': Witness reveals heart-wrenching efforts to save worker from drowning in a three-metre construction site pit

  • A Perth worker died after he fell into a water-filled trench on a construction site 
  • His work mates saw the man fall into the ditch, which was three metres deep
  • A witness has now spoken out about the ordeal after he heard the screams
  • Thomas Carew-Reid ran over to the site and described the hole as 'quicksand' 
  • Firefighters and a rescue team were sent to recover his body from the trench
  • Emergency crews also took out a pump in order to take the water out of the ditch

By Lauren Ferri and Bianca Bongato For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:14 EDT, 18 October 2018 | Updated: 07:15 EDT, 18 October 2018

A man who witnessed a worker die after he fell into a trench filled with water and dirt has explained the harrowing experience.  

The construction worker fell and became trapped in the three-metre ditch in Perth's Mosman Park at about 2.30pm on Wednesday.  

Harvey Street Park resident, Thomas Carew-Reid immediately called emergency services when he heard screams at the work site across from his home.  

It took crews up to eight hours to retrieve the man's body, using specialised equipment. 

A worker died after he fell into a water-filled trench on a construction site in front of his horrified work mates (pictured)

A worker died after he fell into a water-filled trench on a construction site in front of his horrified work mates (pictured)

Emergency crews attempted to get to the construction worker, who fell and became trapped in the three-metre ditch

Emergency crews attempted to get to the construction worker, who fell and became trapped in the three-metre ditch

Mr Carew-Reid told Perth Now that he rushed over and arrived to several workers attempting to reach the young plumber as he sank into the sand and water mix.

'It was traumatic to see these grown men screaming, trying to get their friend out of this situation,' he said. 

'There were three or four men at one stage trying to pull this man out of the water. It was quicksand.'

Mr Carew-Reid rushed across the street to the work site just two minutes after hearing the first screams.

But by the time he arrived the worker was already under water. 

They frantically attempted to get a snorkel and tube to the man to allow him to breathe, but it was unsuccessful. 

Despite the worker's best efforts to save their friend, the man unfortunately died.

Emergency crews also took out a pump outside a building site on Harvey Street in order to take the water out of the hole

Emergency crews also took out a pump outside a building site on Harvey Street in order to take the water out of the hole

Workers frantically attempted to get a snorkel and tube to the man to allow him to breathe, but it was unsuccessful

Workers frantically attempted to get a snorkel and tube to the man to allow him to breathe, but it was unsuccessful

Firefighters and a rescue team were immediately sent to the scene to recover his body from the trench.

Emergency crews also took out a pump outside a building site on Harvey Street in order to take the water out of the hole, according to Perth Now.   

CEO of Badge Construction, Roger Zammit, offered condolences to the man's family.

'We're shattered,' Mr Zammit said.

Firefighters and a rescue team were immediately sent to the scene to recover his body from the trench

Firefighters and a rescue team were immediately sent to the scene to recover his body from the trench

The company is working together with WorkSafe to provide assistance with the ongoing investigation.

The accident is the third workplace death to happen in Western Australia in a week.

A tree lopper in his 40s died after being fatally hit by a falling branch while using a cherry picker. 

Another worker died in the hospital after he was found with head injuries at a construction site last week.  

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Witness breaks their silence after watching worker drown in a three-metre construction site pit

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