Tradie tragedy: Worker crushed by concrete at Fort Street High School in Sydney

A man working at a prominent school in Sydney has died after he was crushed by “several tonnes” of falling concrete.

A worker at a prominent Sydney school has died after he was crushed by “several tonnes” of concrete and scaffolding on Friday.

The stonemason was working at Fort Street High School in Petersham in Sydney’s inner west when scaffolding collapsed on the man just before 11.30am.

The body of the man, who is believed to be in his 40s, remains in the debris while authorities work to extract his remains.

It is unsure if the man’s body will be recovered on Friday due the “complexity” of the scene.

The incident occurred at Fort Street High in Petersham. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

NSW Ambulance Inspector Mike Corlis and Superintendent Adam Dewberry, who said the rescue would be ‘complex’. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the recovery would be “complex and protracted”.

“We haven’t been able to recover the body of this gentleman so far, and the operation will be protracted and complex – it’s likely we are going to have to use a crane to start picking off some of the debris,” he said.

Superintendent Dewberry said children were not present at the scene and did not see the man’s death unfold.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers attended the location and found the stonemason trapped under large stones.

More to come

Originally published as Tradie tragedy: Worker crushed by concrete at Fort Street High School in Sydney