Premier Jay Weatherill backs campaign for coroner’s inquiry into death of Jorge Castillo-Riffo at new Royal Adelaide Hospital

PREMIER Jay Weatherill has backed a widow’s campaign for a coroner’s inquiry into the death of her long-term partner after a workplace accident on the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Pam Gurner-Hall is still seeking answers on Jorge Castillo-Riffo’s death at the new RAH site in 2014.

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PREMIER Jay Weatherill has backed a widow’s campaign for a coroner’s inquiry into the death of her long-term partner after a workplace accident on the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Jorge Castillo-Riffo died a day after he was crushed under a concrete beam while operating a scissor lift at the North Terrace site in November 2014.

Mr Weatherill has told The Advertiser that he has instructed SafeWork SA — which dropped a prosecution case against hospital builder HYLC following legal advice — to release all “relevant documentation” to Coroner Mark John’s office for consideration.

“I met with Pam Gurner-Hall to discuss the tragic death of her partner Jorge Castillo-Riffo on the NRAH site in 2014. I told Ms Gurner-Hall I’m supportive of the Coroner inquiring into the circumstances of her partner’s death,” he said.

“This is now a matter for the Coroner to consider.”

Pamela Gurner-Hall with her partner Jorge Castillo-Riffo, who died in an accident at the new RAH.

The Advertiser revealed last month that SafeWork SA had dropped charges against HYLC and Mr Castillo-Riffo’s employer SRG Building (Southern) just three days out from the start of a 10-day trial.

Ms Gurner-Hall has this week sent a new application to the Coroner’s office requesting an inquiry in light of the lapsed prosecution.

Ms Gurner-Hall also met with federal MPs Nick Xenophon, Amanda Rishworth and Greens leader Adam Bandt in Canberra last week, who she said had offered their support in her campaign for an inquest.

“They are all very keen to support my application for a Coroner’s inquest, they think that’s the best outcome now,” the Aldinga resident said.

“I’m driven now for Jorge’s story to be told.”

Ms Rishworth, Federal member for Kingston and Ms Gurner-Hall’s local MP, said in a statement that Mr Castillo-Riffo’s death “warranted further investigation”.

A plaque at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital’s memorial garden in memory of Jorge Castillo-Riffo.

“I can understand Pam’s disappointment that SafeWork have not proceeded with this matter,” she said.

“We need to be doing everything we can to prevent workplace deaths and accidents.”

Ms Gurner-Hall on Thursday spoke about her campaign for justice for Mr Jorge Castillo-Riffo at Victoria Square as part of a national union-led rally against the ABCC legislation and cuts to weekend penalty rates.

She has also voiced a CFMEU-funded radio advertisement which raises questions about safety implications for workers as a result of the Federal Government’s ABCC.