Man pinned after 120kg barbell falls on throat in second gym accident in week

NEW footage has emerged of a second Queensland gym-goer dropping a heavy barbell on their throat during a bench press gone horribly wrong.

FOOTAGE has emerged of a second Queensland gym-goer dropping a heavy barbell on their throat during a bench press gone horribly wrong.

The terrifying clip, filmed by CCTV at Genesis gym at Morayfield, north of Brisbane, last Thursday, shows Jason Layt, 28, attempting a 120kg lift when the bar falls and pins him to the bench for an agonising 17 seconds.

Trapped and fearing for his life, he was only freed when other gym users realised what was going on.

The incident was the second of its kind in five days, after Ben Shaw, 15, of Brisbane, reportedly dropped a Smith machine bar carrying more than his body weight across his throat on Tuesday.

Ben is on life support in Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.

Genesis Morayfield owner, champion bodybuilder and former LNP politician Jason Woodforth, said bench press mishaps occurred in Queensland gyms everyday.

Ben Shaw, 15, is on life support after a gym mishap.

Mr Layt, who spent five hours in hospital wearing a neck brace after his ordeal, has spoken out, saying lifters need to be prepared for the worst.

“It was only 3kg more than my personal best, but I couldn’t lift it off,” Mr Layt said.

“It pays to have a spotter, you have to have one.”

After failing the rep, the bar fell on to his chest and rolled on to his throat.

Fighting for his life, Mr Layt tried to flick the bar over his head while pinned. But the footage shows him wrench his neck, causing it to crack in multiple places.

“I gave up trying to get it off, so I turned to my side. One whole side of my neck went numb. I couldn’t stop shaking.”

Mr Woodforth, who said he had helped heavy barbells off people’s throats multiple times this year, also stated it was the responsibility of the lifter to ensure they were safe.

“If you’ve got no one around to help you, don’t do it,” he said.

“It’s the responsibility of the lifter to be aware of their surroundings.”

Jason Layt, 28, of Morayfield, was hospitalised after he dropped a heavy barbell on his throat.

Layt warns it pays to have a spotter after his gym accident. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, there are no specific health and safety laws for operators in the fitness industry.

“Operators of fitness centres that provide 24-hour access must ensure the safety of their operations, its members and the public. This includes ensuring the safety of equipment and periodic monitoring of the facilities,” a spokeswoman said.

The incident that critically injured Ben remains under investigation by Worksafe Queensland.

The authority declined to comment on its investigation yesterday.

Tributes have continued to flow online for the Bray Park High School student.

Bray Park Oztag took to Facebook on Thursday morning to convey its thoughts and prayers for “one of our own”.

“Ben Shaw we hope you can fight hard and pull through buddy,” the post read.

“Your (sic) a great young kid and the Bray Park Oztag family is right behind you and your family at this time.”

Others on Facebook urged Ben to “stay strong” and said their thoughts were with the teen’s family.