Female worker dies in incident at Jesmond supermarket

A contract cleaner has been killed in a workplace accident at a Hunter shopping centre. See the latest here.

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A female contract cleaner has died in a workplace incident at Woolworths Jesmond on Friday.

Police said emergency services responded to reports a female had been injured at the Blue Gum Rd supermarket about 7.30am.

“NSW Ambulance paramedics attended; however, the woman suffered fatal injuries and was declared deceased,” a police statement said.

“Officers from Newcastle Police District have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.’’

The statement said “initial inquiries” suggested there was no suspicious circumstances and a report would be prepared for the information of the coroner.’’

A female contract cleaner has died in a workplace incident at Woolworths Jesmond. Picture: Dan Proudman

It is understood was an employee of a third-party firm engaged to provide specialist cleaning services in-store.

A Woolworths spokesman said the company was assisting SafeWork NSW and police as well as working with their “contract cleaning partner”.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts are with the woman’s loved ones at this difficult time,” the spokesman said in a statement.

It later read: “Our priority at this time is providing support to the woman’s family and our store team members.

“The Jesmond store remains closed at this time.’’

It is understood the store would remain closed until Saturday, with security manning the entries on Friday afternoon.

The rest of Jesmond Central shopping centre remains open and unaffected.