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Andrew Brockman death: Treetops Adventure respond amid WorkSafe probe

New details have emerged into the death of a Geelong man who died while adventuring at a Great Ocean Road park owned by an ASX-listed company.

Andrew ‘Andy’ Brockman died at the Treetops Adventure course in Yeodene on January 4. Photo: News Corp.
Andrew ‘Andy’ Brockman died at the Treetops Adventure course in Yeodene on January 4. Photo: News Corp.

A formal investigation has been launched into the death of a Geelong man on an adventure course in the Otways, as new details come to light into the exact cause of the tragedy.

It’s understood Andrew Brockman, 44, suffered a medical episode while at Treetops Adventure in Yeodene on January 4.

A spokeswoman from WorkSafe confirmed they were now officially probing the incident at the course, owned by ASX-listed tourism company Experience Co.

It comes as a Treetops Adventure spokeswoman revealed he had suffered a “medical incident at the park.”

“Our team worked closely with first responders and subsequently co-operated fully with local police and WorkSafe representatives to assist with their reviews,” she said.

“Out of respect we do not wish to comment further but extend our thoughts to Mr Brockman’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

A teenage girl was also rushed to the Colac hospital at the time of Mr Brockman’s death.

The father-of-three and former Geelong Grammar student was farewelled at a funeral service in Geelong on Friday.

The workplace watchdog had been monitoring the site to ensure health and safety risks were addressed before confirming a formal probe this week.

Treetops Adventure is closed following the tragedy.
Treetops Adventure is closed following the tragedy.

“WorkSafe is investigating,” the spokeswoman said.

It’s understood inspectors will look into any suspected contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act by interviewing staff and witnesses and collecting physical evidence.

Reviews of employment, training and medical records and consultation with technical experts could also form part of the process.

This masthead is not suggesting any wrongdoing from Treetops Adventure or its parent company.

The park, tucked in the picturesque Otways native forest, has temporarily closed in the wake of the death.

A Treetops spokeswoman said it would reopen once “routine maintenance” had been completed.

Experience Co, formed in 1999, own adventure experiences across Australia and New Zealand, including Skydive Australia in Connewarre.

Victoria Police is preparing a report for the coroner.

Do you know more? mark.murray@news.com.au

Originally published as Andrew Brockman death: Treetops Adventure respond amid WorkSafe probe

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/geelong/andrew-brockman-death-treetops-adventure-respond-amid-worksafe-probe/news-story/cec7c069d996e7e963c81b134865d31b