Two tradies hurt in fast food shop incident

Two tradesmen have been seriously injured – one critically – following a workplace incident at a fast food outlet on the Gold Coast.

Emergency services at the scene of the accident at a fast food outlet in Ashmore. Picture: 7 News Gold Coast

Two tradesmen have been rushed to hospital with serious electrical burns to the upper portion of their bodies following a workplace incident on the Gold Coast.

One was in a critical condition.

The two men, both aged in their 30s, undertook electrical work at the Pit Stop Cafe at Ashmore before the incident was reported about 10.20am

It’s believed the incident occurred when a switchboard in an electricity room short-circuited while the tradesmen were inside the room.

According to Queensland Ambulance Service Senior Operations Supervisor for the Gold Coast, Neil Stead, the injury both men received was consistent with flash burns from the electricity.

One of the men was burnt on his face, chest and arms, while the more severely injured man was also burnt on his legs.

He was sedated for transportation to hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Stead said both patients arrived at hospital safely.

A third tradesperson at the scene was uninjured.

#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

The men were electrical workers who had been conducting works on the main switchboard, a spokesman for the Office of Industrial Relations confirmed.

He said an electrical arc from the switchboard was responsible for the pair’s horror injuries.

Police and fire rescue crews were on scene for several hours, with investigators from Workplace Health and Safety also on the scene.

According to a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman, the pair had been in a serious condition when critical care paramedics and the high acuity response unit arrived at the scene on Southport Nerang Rd.

One was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital with significant burns to his head and chest, while the other – who also suffered burns to the same region of his body – was transported in a critical condition to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said firefighters arrived at the scene within five minutes of receiving a triple-0 call.

A joint investigation between emergency services and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has been launched.