Gold Coast Isuzu fined $400K over death of worker Kyah McDonald, 21, in explosion

A Queensland company has been fined $400,000 and slammed for not seeing the “obvious” risks that led to the death of a 21-year-old apprentice in a horrific explosion.

Kyah McDonald died on October 25, 2022 after a spark from a grinder he was using caused a massive explosion at his workplace.

A Queensland company has been fined $400,000 and slammed for not seeing the “obvious” risks which led to the death of a 21-year-old apprentice in a horrific explosion.

Kyah McDonald died on October 25, 2022 after a spark from a grinder he was using caused a massive explosion at his workplace, Gold Coast Isuzu at Arundel.

The apprentice diesel mechanic was engulfed by flames and suffered burns to 95 per cent of his body. He died in hospital later that day.

Kyah was talented, intelligent, a quiet achiever, and had only been working on cars and trucks for five months before his death.

Kyah McDonald died in October 2022 after an explosion at his workplace on the Gold Coast.

James Frizelle’s Automotive Group – trading as Gold Coast Isuzu – was charged with failing to comply with primary health and safety duty after the incident.

The business – which sold and serviced new and used Isuzu trucks and parts – was sentenced over Kyah’s death in Southport Magistrates Court last month after pleading guilty.

The court was told on the day of the incident, Kyah was tasked to de-rim a metal drum in a bin room – where ignitable vapours were held – while using an electric handheld grinder.

A spark from the grinder caused a massive explosion at the workplace, killing Kyah and injuring three other workers.

A second worker, who was standing at the door of the bin room, suffered burns to 15 per cent of his body. A third worker suffered partial thickness burns to both hands and the top of his nose when he tried to put out the flames on Kyah.

A fourth worker suffered psychological injuries.

In sentencing, Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said the risk of de-rimming a metal drum in an ignitable room was “obvious”, “foreseeable”, and the steps to prevent this were not complex.

The scene at Gold Coast Isuzu when Clarke's brother Kyah McDonald was killed in a truck explosion. Picture: Adam Head

The business also failed to provide adequate training and supervision, correctly store and label flammable liquids, or post safety signage in the areas where the combustible liquids were stored.

The business has since overhauled its safety practices, but Ms Thompson said those same “simple” and “not burdensome” measures could have easily been done before Kyah’s death.

Ms Thompson fined the business $400,000. A conviction was also recorded.

Kyah has been remembered as a wise old soul by his family, friends, and partner.

“Healing from this tragedy and heartbreak has been an extremely raw and, at times, unbearably painful journey that continues every single day,” Kyah’s WorkSafe tribute read.

“There are so many tears, yet we look for ways to fill the emptiness and to find the same joy Kyah was always able to find in other peoples’ success and happiness.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Isuzu fined $400K over death of worker Kyah McDonald, 21, in explosion