British stonemason killed in Sydney school tragedy

British stonemason Alistair Bidmead was the man tragically killed in a construction tragedy at an inner west school while working on the facade of a historic building, it can be revealed.

A British stonemason who ran a small company on Sydney’s northern beaches can be revealed as the person who was killed in a tragic accident while working on the facade of an inner west high school.

Alistair Bidmead, who owns and runs Bidmead & Co based in Fairlight, was killed yesterday at Fort Street High School while working on the third floor of the school’s distinctive main building.

Although the exact nature of the tragedy is still uncertain, he was trapped by “several tonnes” of falling masonry and brickwork around 11am on Friday, and was pronounced dead at the scene soon after.

Due to the complex nature of the scene, a crane was called in to removal the rubble and it was not until several hours later that his body could be recovered.

Mr Bidmead’s next of kin have been notified.

Alastair Bidmead (pictured) moved to Australia from the UK. He ran a stonemason business and was killed in an accident at Fort Street High School on August 5. Picture: Supplied

Alastair Bidmead (pictured) moved to Australia from the UK. He ran a stonemason business and was killed in an accident at Fort Street High School on August 5. Picture: Supplied

His Bidmead & Co van was spotted at the scene of the incident while police rescue workers tended to the scene.

The company is based out of Fairlight and specialises in historic stone restoration.

A Bidmead & Co van pictured at the scene of the tragedy at Fort Street High School on August 5. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The company website reveals more about Mr Bidmead.

Originally from the Cotswolds in south-west England, Mr Bidmead had over 20-years’ experience in the trade.

His LinkedIn revealed he studied the profession extensively, studying at British-based institutions and at TAFE.

Although his exact age is unknown, a FRNSW spokesman at the scene said it appeared Mr Bidmead was middle-aged.

Police Rescue tend to the incident at Fort Street High School where a stonemason was killed by building debris. Picture: Jason Lloyd

Just before 11.30am, emergency services responded to the incident at Fort Street High School on Parramatta Rd, Petersham following reports scaffolding had collapsed on Mr Bidmead.

Four Fire and Rescue NSW crews, NSW Ambulance paramedics and NSW Police Rescue attended the scene, but were unable to save him.

Mr Bidmead was thought to be crushed by a mixture of scaffolding, brickwork and masonry while working on the third floor of one of the school’s buildings, believed to be the facade of the school’s distinctive main building.

A crane tends to the trapped body at Fort Street High School, where a stone mason has been killed by falling scaffolding and concrete. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The crane arrived at 4pm, five hours after the incident, to help excavate scene.

It appeared to lower a hook and net over the top of the scaffolding to move away the heavy masonry and debris.

A crane tends to the trapped body at Fort Street High School, where a stone mason has been killed by falling scaffolding and concrete. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry spoke outside the scene of the tragic incident and said the recovery would be “complex and protracted”, and explained the need for the crane.

“We haven’t been able to recover the body of this gentleman so far, and the operation will be protracted and complex – it’s likely we are going to have to use a crane to start picking off some of the debris,” he said on Friday.

Supt. Dewberry said it was believed the debris trapping the body of the man weighed “several tonnes”.

The incident took place on the third floor of the old facade of the above building, on the third floor. Picture: Supplied

He said no children witnessed the accident take place and the area around the body and work site had now been cordoned off.

A Fort Street High School parent Jimmy expressed his sadness and shock and said the school had reached out and kept parents updated.

“We’ve got a parents WhatsApp chat and we got information that the school was going into lockdown because of a critical incident and that our children were safe,” he said.

“We then got an update from the school explaining that a construction worker had been involved had some scaffolding had collapsed.”

Police and Rescue at the scene of an accident, at Fort Street High School, Petersham, today, where a stone mason has been killed by falling scaffolding and concrete. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Jimmy said his son, in Year 7, was safe but shocked and the school had offered counselling services to children.

“It’s so sad, my condolences to the person and family,” he said.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Mike Corlis (L) and Supt. Adam Dewberry outside Fort St High in Petersham. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Fort Street High School and the Department for Education both declined to comment due to the ongoing nature of the issue. No staff or students were involved or injured in the incident.

Mr Bidmead was working on the outside of the main building’s third floor when it is suspected the facade broke away and collapsed on top of him.

Supt. Dewberry said it was too early at this stage to confidently provide more exact details as to how the incident occurred.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers attended the location and found the stone mason trapped under large stones.

A crime scene has been established and Safe Work NSW has been notified of the incident.