Two builders killed in an industrial accident in Australia were from Northern Ireland, it has emerged.
The men, who died after being hit by a falling concrete slab on a building site in East Perth, are understood to be from Omagh, County Tyrone, and County Derry. The victims, who were in their early 20s, were killed in the accident at about 11.30am local time (0330 GMT).
One of the dead men was named locally as Joe McDermott from Omagh. He had been in Australia for just over a month. The second man is understood to be Gerry Bradley from Coleraine, Co Derry.
Tributes to McDermott were posted on social media, including one from his former employers at a local hotel/bar in the Tyrone market town. The Silver Birches and Tipplers wrote: “The management and staff of Tipplers would like to offer our sincere condolences to the McDermott family at the untimely death of Joseph (Hoss). Not only was he a colleague, he was a friend. To his many friends our thoughts and prayers are with you all. RIP Hoss.”
A local Sinn Féin councillor, Sorcha McAnespie, who knew McDermott’s family, said there was a “palpable sense of grief” over his death.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it was “aware of the case and stands ready to provide consular assistance”.
Jaxon construction firm said: “Our workforce is grieving and our focus is on supporting the families and those affected. The accident is subject of an ongoing investigation by the relevant authorities and it would be premature to speculate or pre-empt the findings of the investigations. We are cooperating fully with the coroner’s office and Worksafe and will make further announcements as and when additional information becomes available.”
