PICTURED: Tradesman, 34, who died after being electrocuted while working on a fire station roof

  • The tradesman who tragically died on Monday is identified as an NT father
  • 34-year-old Derick Suratin was electrocuted at the Tennant Creek Fire Station
  • He was working on the roof, which has raised doubts over workplace safety 
  • Just last week a tradie was pinned under a 1.5 tonne switchboard in the NT
  • NT WorkSafe is investigating the incidents, as locals take to Facebook to mourn

A tradesman who died after being electrocuted while working on a fire station's roof has been identified as 34-year-old Derick Suratin.  

The 34-year-old father was doing roofing work on the Tennant Creek Fire Station in the Northern Territory around 8am, when a freak accident resulted in his death. It's not known at this stage exactly what caused the incident.

Police, fire and emergency services attempts to revive Mr Suratin, both at the scene and later in hospital, were unsuccessful.   

34-year-old Derick Suratin was killed on Monday in a tragic electrical accident at a Northern Territory fire station

34-year-old Derick Suratin was killed on Monday in a tragic electrical accident at a Northern Territory fire station

Loved ones and strangers have taken to social media yesterday to pay tribute to the young father. 

'RIP you were a loving husband and father, a true mate to your co workers and an amazing mentor to my son you will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Condolences to his wife children and family', read one comment.

'Devastating, too young. Sincere condolences to his family, work colleagues and friends. RIP'  

The aftermath of Mr Suratin's death is already leading to questions about workplace health and safety, particularly in the top end. 

The man who tragically died on Monday has been identified as 34-year-old father Derick Suratin (pictured with girlfriend Marie Bottomley, right)

The man who tragically died on Monday has been identified as 34-year-old father Derick Suratin (pictured with girlfriend Marie Bottomley, right)

The 34-year-old tradesman was electrocuted at the Tennant Creek Fire Station where he was completing roof work

The 34-year-old tradesman was electrocuted at the Tennant Creek Fire Station where he was completing roof work

Mr Suratin's death comes less than a week after another Northern Territory electrician sustained serious injuries after he was pinned down by a 1.5 tonne switchboard. NT WorkSafe is also investigating the incident. 

An independent review on work place health and safety by independent consultant Tim Lyons was handed to the government last December.

'We need to push for industrial manslaughter across Australia and in the Northern Territory.' Mr Lyons said. 

'In the NT a worker is almost three times more likely to be injured at work, that’s three times more likely to be injured in the Northern Territory than any other state and that’s unacceptable.'

 

 

 

 

 

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PICTURED: Tradesman, 34, who died after being electrocuted while working on a fire station roof

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