21/06/2008

News Item

Two men killed in scaffolding collapse

Two men have been killed after a scaffold fell approximately 30 floors at a Gold Coast residential development.

A spokesman for the Queensland government's Workplace Health and Safety said the accident occurred on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Surf Parade at Broadbeach.

He said the accident occurred at 8.25am (AEST) on Saturday while the two workers were suspended up on a platform similar to one window cleaners use.

However, a police spokesman said investigations into whether or not the men were in the scaffold at the time were still taking place.

The police spokesman said the two men were employed to conduct concrete wall patching on the building's exterior.

He said police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

The accident took place opposite to where the Labor Party is holding its annual state conference.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered his condolences to the victims' families during his address to the conference on Saturday.

"We have seen two construction workers lose their lives," he said.

"As Labor people, our thoughts are with the families of those men and this terrible accident reminds us all ... of the dangers which continue to affect so many of the work sites of Australia."

source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=584069