Man fighting for life after suffering electrical burns in workplace accident

Two men have been rushed to hospital, one of them in a critical condition, after suffering burns in a Gold Coast workplace accident.

A tradie is fighting for life after he suffered significant electrical burns to his most of his body during a workplace incident on the Gold Coast.

Emergency services were called to a fast-food outlet at the Pit Stop Ashmore complex about 10.30am on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at a complex on Southport Nerang Road. Picture: Channel 7

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Neil Stead said the worker and one of his colleagues were in the electricity room when the accident took place.

“The board either short-circuited or an incident occurred where both people received flash burns,” he said.

The men, aged in their 30s, suffered significant injuries as a result of the explosion.

#Ashmore - Paramedics, including critical care and High Acuity Response Unit are on scene at a workplace incident on Southport Nerang Road at 10.22am.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 19, 2021

#Update - One patient was transported serious to Gold Coast University Hospital and another in a critical condition to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital following earlier workplace incident at #Ashmore

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 19, 2021

Mr Stead said while one was burned on his face, chest and arms, the second had more widespread burns to his face, chest, arms and legs.

“He was actually what they call RSI’d,” he said.

“He was sedated down, his airway was maintained and he was transported up to Royal Brisbane (and Women’s) Hospital because that’s where our burns unit is.”

The man remains in a critical condition, while his colleague was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.

The cause of the accident is not yet known, but workplace health and safety investigators remain onsite with police.

Originally published as Man fighting for life after suffering electrical burns in workplace accident