Gold Coast Fatality- Crushed under vehicle hoist

[Dave Whitefield]

From the Gold Coast Bulletin

Tragic hoist accident at Coast car firm

Jessica Johnston   |  February 17th, 2010

Worker dies while repairing car hoist

BOB 'Bobby' Rees, 42, will remain a hero to devoted wife Sandie and their two young children following his tragic death at a Bundall car detailing business yesterday.

Mr Rees died almost instantly from severe head injuries after the vehicle hoist he was repairing collapsed about 10am.

The experienced panel beater and smash repair equipment technician was helping out mate and business owner Mark McHugh at the Strathaird Road bodyworks business when yesterday's accident occurred.

Just 40 minutes after Mr Rees and a colleague from Car-O-Liner Australia started work the machinery collapsed.

Shocked staff tried desperately to lift the heavy machinery from Mr Rees, but it proved too heavy.

He died at the scene, before emergency crews arrived.

As a final tribute to his colleague, his distressed workmate and Mr McHugh waited at the scene until Mr Rees' body had been removed.

Mrs Rees was supported by friends as she attempted to explain the heart-breaking reality to her son and daughter last night saying 'it doesn't seem real.'

"He was a man full of life, energy and never-ending generosity who will be sadly missed by all who crossed his path," she said.

Mr McHugh also offered a tearful tribute to Bob at the scene, saying he was well known and highly respected in the industry.

"I'm totally devastated. I've known Bob for over 20 years. He's got a beautiful wife and two children, it's just a tragedy this had to happen," said Mr McHugh.

"Everyone is in shock.

"Bob was loved by everyone, anyone who met him just loved him.

"He's going to be missed."

The business was closed yesterday as staff tried to come to terms with their loss.

Queensland Police Regional duty inspector David Lacey described the incident as a freak occurrence.

"I haven't heard of a hoist collapsing," said Insp Lacey.

"I've been in the job nearly 28 years and it's the first time I've seen one actually collapse.

"You take for granted they take cars up into the air and you can work underneath it.

"There was some fault, and these guys had been called to repair it.

"There was no vehicle on it at the time but they were working on it when it was in a raised position and the hoist has given way and trapped the worker."

Investigations are continuing.