Worker dies after explosion in trench at Harkaway housing development

UPDATE: A MAN using explosives at a new housing estate went to investigate a mistimed detonation before dying in a blast heard kilometres away.

CFA crews are working to rescue a man trapped down a three metre trench in Harkaway. Picture: Susan Windmiller

UPDATE:

A MAN working with explosives at a new housing estate had gone to investigate a mistimed detonation before dying in a blast heard kilometres away.

Police said a 60-year-old man from Healesville had died in the tragic work accident.

It is believed the worker had been setting explosives for a series of blasts in preparation for laying pipework on the site.

Police first received a call about 11.30am with reports of two explosions at the Peak Drive construction site at Harkaway in Melbourne’s southeast.

Inspector Paul Breen said the man had returned to the trenches after a first explosion.

“It’s understood the first explosion went off too early and the man went back to see what happened,” Insp Breen said.

“That’s when the second explosion went off.”

He said the site had now been deemed safe.

Before the tragedy, emergency services had reported they were working to rescue a man who was trapped down a 3m-deep trench after being called to the scene.

Nearby residents Bryan and Margaret Quirk said it wasn’t until they heard the second explosion that they knew something had gone wrong.

“It was siren after siren, so many ambulances and police cars ... We knew something horrible had happened,” Mrs Quirk said.

“It’s just awful knowing someone has lost their life today... I’m very shaken up.”

Ambulance Victoria first responded to the accident about 11.40am after the underground explosion to treat a victim suffering serious injuries.

Ambulance spokesman Paul Bentley said an air ambulance was dispatched.

But despite firefighters and paramedics battling to save the man’s life for an hour, police confirmed his death about 12.30pm.

Narre Warren North resident Martin — who lives about 2.5km from the incident — said he heard two distinct explosions.

“I heard the sound of the sirens of the fire trucks coming past near my house first, and then I heard two explosions,” he said.

“The explosions were a few seconds apart.”

Delplant Civil Contractors, which was undertaking work on the site, said it didn’t wish to comment on the incident “at this stage”.

Next of kin have been notified.

Worksafe Victoria and Victoria Police are investigating the incident

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