ONE-TONNE POWER BOX FALLS ON WORKER:

One-tonne unit falls on man

A POWERCOR WORKER was flown to hospital in Melbourne after a one-tonne electrical unit fell on him when a platform collapsed at Armstrong Creek.

It is understood the man, in his 50s, was working near a trench at a Barwon Heads Rd worksite about 1pm when the platform gave way.

Corio police Sergeant Mark Grey said falling into the trench had saved the man’s life.

“They’ve just installed the cabinet about 10 minutes prior. He has gone to open up the cabinet and it has fallen forward,” Sgt Grey said.

“He has become trapped in between the cabinet and the gap in the ditch which has saved his life.”

CFA Belmont Senior Station officer Gavin Fitzgerald said the injured man’s workmates worked desperately to free their colleague before emergency workers arrived.

“The workers on site had a crane and worked feverishly to slew the load back up to relieve the pressure on the man,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

The man was last night in a serious condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital with leg, chest and hip injuries as well as lacerations.

Powercor has vowed to undertake a thorough investigation into the accident.

A Powercor spokeswoman said the company had shut down the site during the investigation.

“A full investigation is under way into what has occurred, and we have notified WorkSafe and Energy Safe Victoria,” the spokeswoman said.

“Work at the site has stopped until initial investigations have concluded.”

The spokeswoman thanked the man’s colleagues and emergency workers for their prompt efforts in rescuing the man.

“Our initial information indicates that the employee was pinned under a piece of equipment,” she said.

“We appreciate the fast action of his team and the first responders on the scene.

“Our focus is on the safety and welfare of our teammate and we are in close contact with he and his family.”

Emergency crews, including police, SES and firefighters, took about 15 minutes to safely free the man who was treated by paramedics before being flown to hospital.

WorkSafe inspectors and representatives from the Electrical Trades Union were called to the site about 2pm to investigate the incident.

“He has become trapped in between the cabinet and the gap in the ditch which has saved his life.” CORIO POLICE SERGEANT MARK GREY

Pictures: ALAN BARBER RESCUE: A crane was used to pull a man free after an electrical unit fell on him.

Emergency crews and co-workers worked frantically to free the trapped man. He was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and is in a serious condition. WorkSafe and Electrical Trades Union representatives were on site yesterday afternoon.