Worker dead, another critical after Sydney scaffolding collapse
A man is dead and another is critically injured after scaffolding collapsed and trapped the pair at a construction site in Sydney's north.
Emergency services were called to the building site on Epping Road at Macquarie Park after reports that a large amount of scaffolding and concrete had fallen on two workers about 12.20pm.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said seven fire crews, including a crew that specialises in structural collapses, rushed to the apartment development known as "nbh at Lachlan's Line".
One of the men, aged 39, was rescued from the rubble and was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with injuries to his pelvis and abdomen about 1pm.
He remains in a critical condition.
Police confirmed about 3pm that the second man had died at the scene.
NSW Ambulance acting Superintendent Steve Vaughan said that paramedics found "an absolutely chaotic and emotionally charged scene ... it took some time to ascertain what had happened".
"The injuries were significant," he said.
He said the rescue workers had difficulty reaching the man who had died. "We were able to get close enough to the patient to be able to confirm [he had died]."
"There was a significant amount of scaffolding on the scene so it was navigating safely around and through that to be able to get access to that patient."
Acting Superintendent Vaughan said the ambulance service's chaplain was on site supporting the family of one of the workers involved in the incident, but he did not know which man.
One witness, Albert Muscat, told Nine News: "I heard people in there screaming, 'Help us, help us, help us' and screaming obviously in pain with all the metal that had fallen on them."
"We started cutting with the grinders and hammers until, about 20 minutes later, we couldn’t hear screaming any more; that’s when the supervisors told us to move out."
Another man at the site said he saw construction workers "running around frantically" and said "a couple of people ran in with first aid kits" after the scaffolding came crashing down.
A spokesman for the building's construction company, Ganellen, said: "This is a tragic incident and our deepest sympathies go to the young man's family, co-workers and friends.
"Another injured worker is receiving treatment in hospital and our thoughts and best wishes are with him. All others on site have been safely accounted for.
"This is clearly a distressing time for everyone on site and we are mobilising support services to look after those who have been affected."
The spokesman said the company would continue to help authorities at the site "in any way we can".
"The welfare of our thousands of employees and subcontractors has always been a priority for Ganellen so this is devastating news."
A SafeWork NSW spokeswoman said that numerous tradesmen were working on the lower deck of scaffolding at the site when it collapsed. Safety inspectors are on site.
"While the cause of the collapse is unknown at this stage, SafeWork is employing significant resources to fully understand how this tragic incident occurred," the spokeswoman said.
"It is expected that the investigation could take some time, while SafeWork inspectors work through the complexities of the incident."
Police have set up a crime scene and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Two eastbound lanes of Epping Road were closed, but have since reopened. Motorists have been warned to avoid the area.
The apartment development will ultimately consist of 900 apartments across six towers.
The project is being developed by Chinese-backed residential developer Greenland Australia.
A spokeswoman for the company said in a statement: "The welfare of the site’s employees and subcontractors remains a priority, and we are currently assisting police and emergency authorities at the site to determine the cause of this tragic event."
A project update from last month said scaffolding was coming down on the apartment building, which is due for completion this year. Between 300 and 350 workers are on the site each day.
More to come