A father-of-one has been identified as the worker who died in a freak workplace accident.
Barry Breslin, 35, from Ireland, was working at the site in Greenwood, north of Perth, when it emerged he was hit by a concrete grate being lifted by an excavator just before midday on Thursday.
He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital by St John WA paramedics with serious head injuries, but he died a short time later.
Breslin was the father of a young son and was engaged to his partner Melissa.
It is understood he had lived in Australia for several years, having grown up in Kilcar, in the Irish county of Donegal.
His local Gaelic football club paid tribute to the 35-year-old.
“It was a huge surprise to all of us when the news reached us this morning of Barry’s untimely passing in Australia,” wrote CLG Chill Chartha.
‘Barry played as an underage player for the club for many years and is fondly remembered by the players and everyone involved at the time and by his mother Mary, a tireless volunteer and supporter of our club over the years.
Barry Breslin, 35, from Ireland, was working at the site in Greenwood, north of Perth, when it emerged he was hit by a concrete grate being lifted by an excavator shortly before midday on Thursday.
“Our hearts go out to you and your family and we extend our prayers to all of you at this sad time.”
WorkSafe confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Breslin’s death “with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents”.
“The man was reported to have been struck by a falling piece of equipment,” a WorkSafe spokesperson said.
Commissioner Sally North described the incident as a “tragedy” and expressed her deepest condolences to the man’s family and friends.
Tributes have poured in for the young father of one
The tragedy brought the number of fatalities on construction sites in WA this year to 10, according to CFMEU state secretary Mick Buchan.
He also expressed the union’s condolences to the worker’s family and announced an investigation into the matter.
Buchan said the incident “involved an excavator and lifting equipment” but declined to speculate on the details, noting that “one worker tragically did not return home today.”
“Once again we are faced with another death that was totally avoidable and should never have happened,” he said, according to the West Australian newspaper.
Pictured are some of Breslin’s colleagues at the scene after the fatal accident.
WorkSafe confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Breslin’s death “with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents”.
