Two men dead after wall collapse at Eagle Farm racecourse

UPDATE: A close friend of a 34-year-old man who was killed in an industrial accident at Eagle Farm has visited the scene and paid tribute to his mate.

A CLOSE friend of a 34-year-old man who died in an industrial accident at Eagle Farm yesterday has visited the scene and paid tribute to his mate.

Simon Hynes, who knew Ashley Morris for more than 20 years and went through school with him said he has lost a brother.

“The world lost a really good man yesterday,” Mr Hynes said.

“He was one of the most fiercely loyal friends and dads.”

“My heart just goes out to his whole family.”

Victim: Ashley Morris. PIC: SUPPLIED

Two men, aged 34 and 55, were in a pit when a nine-tonne slab being lifted by a crane fell on them on the infield of the racecourse yesterday afternoon.

Earlier today family members also visited the site and said they wanted answers.

“We’re not just going to let this go, my brother is gone, my niece and nephew are left without a father and my dad has to bury a child,” Mr Morris’s sister told ABC radio.

The tragic incident occurred on the Eagle Farm course’s infield which is the major part of the redevelopment, including the construction of 420 horse stables.

The Brisbane Race Club released a statement today sending its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the men and to offer full support to the contractors involved in the course’s $37 million upgrade.

BRC chairman Neville Bell told members they were “in mourning” and jockeys would wear black armbands in a race at neighbouring track Doomben on Saturday.

Tributes have started flowing in for the two workers killed in a concreting tragedy. @couriermail #breaking pic.twitter.com/xibuxEYCz9

— Nathan Torpey (@Nasion21) October 7, 2016

Construction work at Eagle Farm racecourse has been suspended today as investigations continue into an industrial accident yesterday afternoon. PIC: Tara Croser.

“While the men were not BRC employees, they were part of a construction team that has been working very hard to transform this magnificent venue,” he said.

“The BRC will decide on an appropriate way to recognise these men.”

Workers who saw their two colleagues killed have been offered counselling as investigators try to work out what went horribly wrong.

Paramedics say they died instantly, despite the frantic efforts of workers to lift the slab off them.

Construction work at the course was suspended on Friday as the police’s forensic crash unit and Workplace, Health and Safety officials both investigate. Police, who are preparing a report for the coroner, and WH&S have given permission for trackwork to continue at Eagle Farm and for racing to be held at Doomben on Saturday.

Queensland’s Racing Minister Grace Grace says the deaths are heartbreaking and she expects to receive a report on the accident quickly.

EARLIER: Workplace safety officials are investigating after two men were crushed to death on a Brisbane building site.

The pair, aged 34 and 55, were in a construction pit, helping to move an eight-tonne concrete slab into place, when it fell on them at Eagle Farm Racecourse just after 4pm Thursday.

“Unfortunately they have become crushed in the slabs and lost their lives,” Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Glen Morrison said.

“There were a number of construction workers around but these two gentlemen were directly assisting with the moving of the slab.”

Seven ambulances and firetrucks rushed to the scene in the middle of the Ascot racecourse but the men could not be saved. They had been working on a $37 million redevelopment of the racecourse, which includes the construction of 420 horse stables in the infield of the track.

Two people killed by a falling concrete wall at Eagle Farm racecourse. Pic Darren England

A spokesman for Brisbane-based construction company Criscon last night declined to comment, saying the tragic incident was “too raw” to say anything ­publicly at this stage.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Racing Grace Grace said: “I’m very saddened to hear of these tragic events at Eagle Farm.

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives. I expect to receive a full report into this matter as soon as possible.”

CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan said the union would provide grief and trauma counselling for the victims’ co-workers.

Emergency service vehicles on the scene at Eagle Farm racecourse. PIC: Marc Robertson

“This is a high-risk industry. We lose too many lives in these types of ­accidents,” he said.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokesman said: “We have inspectors on site that have been there throughout the afternoon and we have now launched an ­investigation.”

Kelly Schweida, who operates a stable at the course, said the incident was “very sad news”.

“There are a lot of workers around since the development started and there are heaps of concrete walls being built at the moment,” he said.

A Brisbane Racing Club spokesman said a statement would be issued today.