Teen Ethan Desborough seriously injured in workplace incident

A teenager who had just turned 18 may never walk again after a devastating workplace incident barely a week into his new job. His family have spoken about their heartbreaking new reality.

Blacks Beach teen Ethan Desborough was seriously injured with heavy steel beams fell on his back in a workplace incident at Paget. Picture: Supplied by Desborough family

A teenager has shared the heartbreaking reality his twin brother may never walk again after the pair were injured in a devastating workplace incident barely a week into their new job.

But 18-year-old Ethan Desborough, who suffered significant and permanent spinal injuries after a load of heavy steel landed on his back, is staying positive as he awaits surgery in Townsville University Hospital with his parents by his bedside.

The incident occurred on Monday, September 18 at a Paget business and a GoFundMe to help the family as they face the unknown has been started.

Ethan’s brother Christian was a witness and also injured when a 2.5 tonne pack of steel beams fell as it was being transferred in the late afternoon.

“He’s lucky to be alive … seven beams got him in the back,” Christian said.

“The doctor told us he has a very slim to none chance of ever walking again.”

Ethan Desborough in hospital after he was seriously injured with heavy steel beams fell on his back in a workplace incident at Paget. Picture: Supplied by Desborough family

The Blacks Beach teen, who is very close with his twin, suffered an injury to his leg when it was “crushed by two beams”.

He was lucky, he said, there were no fractures but it was badly bruised.

“I can’t feel most of my leg from the middle calf down,” he said.

Both were initially taken to Mackay Base Hospital and Ethan was flown to Townsville, while Christian has since been discharged. Once Ethan has surgery it is expected he will be flown to Brisbane for rehabilitation.

Ethan (left) and Christian Desborough, 18, who were both injured in a workplace incident in September 2023.

The brothers, who were Northern Beaches State High School students, have been in constant communication.

“He’s a brave little man, he’s been positive the whole way through,” Christian said.

“I haven’t been able to get to sleep the past couple of nights after seeing him getting crushed.

“I keep seeing him lying there and I keep hearing the metal crashing on the ground.”

Ethan Desborough suffered a permanent spinal injury and is paralysed from the knees down.

Their parents, Ryan and Makisha Desborough, who moved to the Mackay area from Adelaide about five years ago, are still grappling with their new reality but have praised the efforts from their sons’ employer who they say had been very supportive during this terrible time.

“We’re so thankful he’s alive and here with us,” Mrs Desborough said.

The couple said their “thoughts and prayers” were also with anyone who witnessed the terrible incident.

They have also praised the paramedics and hospital staff at both Mackay and Townsville.

Ethan Desborough is ‘lucky to be alive … seven beams got him in the back’.

Mr Desborough described the past few days as an “emotional rollercoaster” and “(we’re) running on empty”.

“We’re keeping strong for him,” he said.

Mr Desborough had been heading west to work and had “luckily” only reached Walkerston when he got the call from his wife about the incident. “Straight away, turned around and (went) to the hospital,” he said.

Millions of scenarios flashed through his mind in those initial moments, he said.

Christian Desborough suffered an injury to his leg when it was “crushed by two beams”.

Now they just had to take each day as it comes, as they drew support and strength from each other, after learning their son suffered a permanent spinal injury and was paralysed from the knees down.

The couple said Ethan had been getting some “slight feeling” back in his legs, but he could not determine where and what.

The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $6000 to help the family with expenses.

They aren’t sure how long they will have to spend in Townsville.

Mrs Desborough had been about to start a new job when this happened while Mr Desborough has also had to take time off work.

“Ethan has just turned 18 and doesn’t deserve this, he has a huge future in front of him, this just isn’t fair,” Mrs Desborough wrote in an update on the GoFundMe site.

For more information on how you can support the family via GoFundMe visit here.