Teenager killed in crane mishap

MARYBOROUGH teenager Kurt Murdoch was crushed to death in a freak accident at a Brisbane school.

Kurt Murdoch was well known in the Maryborough speedway fraternity. This picture was taken in 2009. Picture: Contributed

MARYBOROUGH teenager Kurt Murdoch was crushed to death yesterday in a freak accident at a Brisbane school.

Mr Murdoch delivered a load of treated logs to the school and was using a small crane mounted on the trailer to unload the 10m long pieces of timber.

Police said the 19-year-old was working on his own at the time and nobody witnessed the fatal incident, however other people working on the site discovered his body about 8.40am.

Officers from the police forensic crash unit and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety were called in to begin investigations into exactly how the accident happened.

Ipswich district duty officer Senior Sergeant Bob Phillips said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

"It appears as though the man has somehow become stuck in between the boom of the crane and the rear frame of the truck," Snr Sgt Phillips said.

"There were no witnesses but we believe it was a short period of time in-between when the incident occurred and when he was found."

Mr Murdoch had been working for Richers Transport as a subcontractor on the worksite in Goodna.

All work stopped for several hours yesterday as investigations commenced.

Richers Transport managing director Graham Richers said Mr Murdoch had worked for the company for nine months as a heavy vehicle driver.

"We are all deeply saddened by the event, and our heartfelt thoughts are with his fiancee and his family," he said.

The former Aldridge State High school student was a keen speedway fan and loved racing.

The Chronicle understands he had recently become engaged to his long-term girlfriend, who was with Mr Murdoch's family in Maryborough yesterday after learning of his death.

Originally published as Teenager killed in crane mishap