Kimura Dixon identified as man killed in West End construction collapse
The man killed in a tragic workplace accident in Brisbane has been identified, with his daughter saying he was an amazing dad.
The man killed in a tragic workplace accident has been identified as Kimura Dixon, with his daughter saying he was the best dad and most amazing father.
Mr Dixon died at the Boundary St construction site about 8.45am on Tuesday, with reports a retaining wall had given way.
Another man, aged 19, was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a stable condition with chest and leg injuries.
Mr Dixon’s daughter Rheign Reedy-Dixon said her father’s death was “so sudden and tragic”.
“All we can think about was how excited he would’ve been to be able to be at work to provide for the household,” she said.
“Our dad was the most caring and amazing father ever, his love for us kids was beyond words. He would’ve done anything if it meant he could come home to us.
“He filled rooms with laughter and especially love. I hope he wasn’t scared and didn’t suffer, I just wish we all could’ve said goodbye.”
Inspector Christopher Pemberton praised the quick-thinking of officers and workers at the site, crediting them with saving the teenager’s life.
Insp Pemberton said the 19-year-old was trapped under concrete for 75 minutes.
“During that hour and a quarter the QFRS and QAS worked to free that gentleman,” Insp Pemberton said.
“There was a total of eight workers on site. The police and six of those workers had to remove concrete from the surviving male and in doing that they probably saved his life.
“He was left in situ due to the complexity of the entrapment. It’s a tragic thing to happen so close to Christmas.”
He said Workplace Health and Safety will be taking the lead on the investigation with assistance from QPS.
The two men were believed to be related.
Queensland Ambulance Service operations supervisor Elly Rienks said eight paramedic units attended the scene, including the High Acuity Response Unit and a medical director.
“It was quite a difficult extrication,” Ms Rienks said.
Ms Rienks said paramedics had to move the man slowly to prevent him going into shock, but were able to stabilise him in the ambulance.
“He was very lucky. His injuries were definitely severe,” she said.
The accident occurred on the site of a planned social housing development that was expected to deliver 56 residential units across eight levels.
Initial work, including levelling of ground and concreting, began in September. The project was expected to last 15 months.
It is not yet known if construction will resume.
Police and workplace health and safety inspectors remain at the site on Wednesday afternoon.
CFMEU Queensland construction coordinator Matty Vonhoff said the incident reflected how dangerous the industry can be.
It was a non-union site, and the project was funded by the government.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and work colleagues that knew these workers,” he said.
“CFMEU attended the scene, spoke to the workers, and is doing our own investigation with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland doing an investigation into the scene.”
Originally published as Kimura Dixon identified as man killed in West End construction collapse
