Devastated parents donate teen apprentice’s organs after worksite tragedy

The grandfather of a 17-year-old apprentice who plunged 4m to his death on a Brisbane worksite has revealed details about the family’s hearbreaking decision to turn their beloved boy’s life support off.

• Fatal fall was teen’s first job

The parents of a teen who died after falling 4m at a construction worksite have decided to donate his organs.

On Tuesday, Tyler Whitton, 17, fell through a hole, dropping about 4m to another level, leaving him with significant head injuries at a CS Development Group worksite on Victoria St at West End.

Friends and family gathered at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Wednesday to say their goodbyes.

His grandfather, Jack Whitton, said everybody just came together to support each other.

“There was a lot of people there. Everybody can’t believe it, it’s just devastating,” he said.

“We were supporting Tyler’s mother, family, everybody.

Tyler Whitton with his father Luke Whitton. Picture: Supplied

“Everybody was supporting each other.

“It’s a tragedy. This is unbelievable.”

About 2pm, the family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support.

Mr Whitton said the parents had a meeting with the nurses and decided to donate his organs to help half a dozen of other families and friends.

Mr Whitton said he hoped everybody remembered the legacy of his grandson.

“He’s the most loving, generous, soft kid,” he said.

“I am proud of his whole achievements in life.

“He was a sports star at school when he was younger. He loved his rugby, loved his sport and he started a new career in a commercial building, it’s just aspirational.”

Tyler was working his first job, when the incident occurred. Mr Whitton said he always wanted to be a builder – something that ran in the family.

Tyler Whitton had an interest in working with his hands since he was young.

“He didn’t like school, he didn’t like study – what kid does? He wanted to be a tradie,” he said.

“I think he always wanted to be a builder, do things with his hands like his dad. He was an apple in his dad’s eye. He was a beautiful kid, he really was.

“We just want to say how proud we were. For a 17-year-old kid, he just wanted to work. “We’ve got a pretty good work ethic in a family. He just wanted to work in the building industry and he was given a chance, so.”

Tyler’s loss will also be felt among his three younger siblings.

“They are obviously devastated.”

The workplace the incident took place had previous claims of safety concerns. On Thursday WHSQ confirmed compliance notices had been issued to the worksite.

Apprentice Tyler Whitton with his grandfather Jack Whitton.

“Compliance notices have been issued requiring rectification of a number of high risk issues before works can recommence,” a WHSQ spokeswoman said.

Two teams of inspectors attended the site on Wednesday – one to investigate the cause of the incident and another to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the site, she said.

CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar said he believes the fatality could have been prevented.

“I’ve been around for a number of years but this is probably the worst fatality I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“The other thing for this 17-year-old young man is I have never heard of anywhere on a construction site where you self induct yourself.

Workers and Work Health and Safety inspectors at the scene where Tyler Whitton, 17 died.

“They didn’t even have PPE, this young man never had a chance, all the failures in regards to regulations

Mr Ravbar said there were a number of concerns with the site.

“The site has scaffolding insufficient – incomplete, there’s plenty of issues with fall from heights, housekeeping, everything about that whole site,” he said.

A CS Development spokesman said all site had been ceased and they will provide counselling to staff.

“CSDG is committed to the safety and wellbeing of workers, contractors and the public, and employs two full-time safety staff,” he said.