Perth roof collapse kills one

PERTH: An apprentice has died and another worker has been seriously injured after a building under construction partially collapsed at Perth's Curtin University.

The 23yearold man and another worker fell more than 20m when a metal structure supporting the building's glass roof collapsed yesterday afternoon.

The second man was seriously injured and was understood to be undergoing surgery at Royal Perth Hospital.

A third worker inside the building at the university's Bentley campus was also injured after falling about 10m. His condition was unknown but he was conscious and able to speak.

Both injured men are in their 20s.

A construction vehicle was also crushed by the collapsing debris.

WA Police Commander Mike Bell said authorities were yet to determine what caused the roof to suddenly give way.

The building is believed to be the School of Design and the Built Environment. It is part of the Exchange precinct, which combines student accommodation and a boutique hotel with teaching spaces. — AAP