He lived for his mates: Jake Fuss, 27, dies in Berri workplace accident

A Renmark man who died in a workplace accident on Tuesday has been remembered by friends as a fiercely loyal mate who loved his job.

Jake Fuss died in a workplace accident at in the Riverland on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook.

A young man killed in a workplace accident in the Riverland on Tuesday lived for his friends and loved his job.

Jake Fuss, 27, died when a steel tank fell on him from a gantry crane at a manufacturing plant about 3.30pm Tuesday at Berri.

Paramedics rushed to the business on Jury Road but were unable to save Mr Fuss, who moved to Renmark from Adelaide about seven years ago.

Childhood friend Bradley Mannion was in shock when his sister called him on Tuesday afternoon to tell him his mate had died.

“It took me the whole night to actually believe it, it’s just unreal,” Mr Mannion, of Elizabeth Vale, said.

He and Mr Fuss went to Gepps Cross Primary School together and had maintained a strong friendship since.

Mr Fuss moved to Renmark for a change of lifestyle and started work at JMA Engineering, which Mr Mannion said he loved.

Jake Fuss, 27, died in a Riverland workplace accident on Tuesday. Picture: Bradley Mannion

“Everybody should be able to come home from work, it’s just horrible. He loved his job too.”

Mr Mannion said Mr Fuss lived for his friends, and enjoyed fishing in his spare time.

“He was an absolute goofball but everyone loved him for it.”

The loss has been hard felt for his friends in both Adelaide and Renmark, Mr Mannion said.

“Everyone is just gut-wrenched by it, it was just out of nowhere, it was shock.”

He said despite living away from each other, they had always found time to catch up over the years.

“He’s just one of those mates that it doesn’t matter how long you go without seeing him, you always catch back up and it’s all the same.

“He was just a young carefree bloke that loved life and loved his mates.”

Mr Fuss planned to come to Adelaide for his birthday in May with a group of his Renmark friends and Mr Mannion, to celebrate.

“We’re all still going to catch up in Adelaide on his birthday like we planned, to have a good send off for him.”

Jake Fuss died in a workplace accident at in the Riverland on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner and SafeWork SA will investigate the death.

“SafeWork SA offers condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this distressing and sad time,” a statement said.

His workplace has been contacted for comment.

It follows the death of a Riverland winery truck driver last month,

A 61-year-old Loxton man was struck by his truck near the loading bay of The Winery Group on Bookpurong Road on January 20.