Stop work order after scaffolding falls from Metro site, crushing van in Sydney CBD

Work above a Sydney Metro station in the city’s CBD has been halted and workers sent home after a crane rope snapped sending scaffolding crashing onto a van with a man inside.

Sydney Metro has issued a stop work order on the development above the new Gadigal station, as investigators work to determine how a piece of scaffolding fell several tens of metres from a crane, crushing a van with two people inside.

Two Australia Post employees narrowly avoided injury on Thursday morning, when the scaffolding crushed the back of their van, which was stopped on Pitt Street, in scenes that “looked like a movie”.

Witnesses said a crane was lowering scaffolding from the building development above the new Gadigal Metro stop when a rope snapped, causing the scaffolding to plummet dozens of metres.

The two men were in the front and passenger seats, and looked “white as ghosts” as they jumped out of the vehicle.

“It sounded like an explosion,” a construction worker told the Telegraph.

A person inside the Australia Post van was not seriously injured. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The scene in Pitt St following the incident. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“There was a massive bang, then crashing and clanging. Then a big cloud of dust came up … debris and s**t everywhere.

“It was like something out of a movie.”

The incident has forced the closure of Pitt St. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The development, which includes two high-rise buildings above the new metro station, is being constructed by CPB Contractors in partnership with Oxford Properties Group. Sydney Metro ordered a stop work on the project on Thursday, as investigations continue.

“Today’s incident does not affect the opening of the railway,” a Metro spokesperson said.

CPB and Oxford have been contacted for comment.

A representative for CPB arrived at the jobsite shortly after the incident, however, and dismissed all employees.

“If you work for CPB you can go home,” the representative called out to the crowd.

“You’ve got the rest of the day off. Enjoy.”

Teams of firefighters were called to the incident. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Police said a crane was lifting scaffolding when a rope snapped. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Two people inside the van escaped injury. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

CFMEU delegates were at the site but refused to give any comment to The Daily Telegraph.

The Australia Post employees were visibly shaken following the incident, seen hugging their wives, one of whom sobbed and yelled “that’s my husband, it was my husband in the car”, as she ran past police.

Australia Post confirmed the men were “safe and well” and did not need medical treatment.

“Thankfully both team members were uninjured and are safe and well, and we will continue

to provide support,” they said.

“We are working with the relevant authorities to assist in their investigation.”

MIRACLE MISS

Emergency services raced to the CBD scene on Thursday morning after reports the scaffolding had fallen.

The incident forced the closure of Pitt St between Liverpool and Bathurst streets.

Brayden Tory was inside the Pitt St building when he heard the crashing sounds.

“I just heard this ‘doof, doof, doof’ and then saw half the (crane) frame had dropped off,” he said.

“The rope snapped and it just crash landed on the van.

“An older guy dived out of the way … it’s really lucky no one was killed.

“Two metres difference and (the bloke) would have been killed.”

SafeWork NSW have taken over investigations of the incident, to determine exactly what caused the incident.