Son can rest easy now case over

Jennifer Gear knows her son Christopher will be at peace now the six year court battle over his death is coming to an end.

In 2008, the former Tokoroa resident and another worker Steve Sayer fell off scaffolding and plunged 26 storeys to their deaths.

Last Monday Karimbla Construction Services pleaded guilty to one count of failure to discharge a workplace health and safety obligation, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin .

It was fined $ 25,000 and ordered to pay $ 5760.80 in court costs and investigations.

Gear said it is the second to last court case after what has been an emotional journey for their family.

The money ‘‘ won’t bring him back’’, she said, but the end of the court battle would bring her daughter-in-law peace of mind.

‘‘I’d be glad for [her], she’s never strayed from what’s happened.’’

Gear said the latest fine was a very small price to pay for the lives of her son and Sayer.

‘‘I definitely do not think it was enough, especially when two lives were lost.’’

But Karimbla Construction Services was not the only company held accountable for the tragedy.

In 2013 Prime Construction Pty Ltd, the primary employer of the men, was convicted and fined $600,000 for a Workplace Health and Safety Act breach, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Gear said she could only hope the circumstances of the accident would shake up health and safety laws on the Gold Coast.

‘‘ I know Myriam, my daughter-in-law, would love it to be helpful for other people [working there].’’

Gear saw firsthand what her son did for a living and was insecure with it.

‘‘People said to me no matter what, he will be safe.’’

With the final court case set for next month Gear said she took solace knowing that her son, a father of two, would be able to rest.

‘‘Because of how I’ve been brought up, when [people] are buried [we believe] they’re still roaming the Earth.’’

Gear described her son as a ‘‘clever’’ and ‘‘happy’’ boy growing up who was well-loved.

His popularity in the South Waikato was proven when a second service was organised in Tokoroa immediately after his death. About 300 people attended. ‘‘ It was huge, we weren’t expecting it.’’

Gear said the amount of support received by the community was ‘‘just awesome.’’

‘‘I just wanted to pay them back by letting them know [about the court case].’’

Jennifer Gear knows her son Christopher will be at peace as the court battle over his death

comes to a close.