One dead, two seriously injured after roof collapse at Curtin Uni

One person died and two young men were seriously injured after a glass roof collapsed in a new construction area at Curtin University in Western Australia.

It is understood that the deceased was an apprentice in his 20s.

A spokeswoman for St John Ambulance told NCA NewsWire that two men in their 20s had been rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with multiple injuries.

A spokeswoman for the Fire and Emergency Services Department said those two men had been trapped in the rubble and that firefighters had to release them.

The collapse occurred on the Bentley campus shortly after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The glass was “flying everywhere” after the collapse of the roof, which is about 30 meters high, and some construction workers were reportedly prevented from trying to enter to help their injured colleagues.

Dozens of shocked construction workers gathered on the grass outside the fallen structure and watched in despair.

Damian Clancey, an official with the Electrical Trades Union, was at the scene at the time and described it as a “massive crash sound” and a “tremendous noise”.

“There is a gap between each individual panel, so they were effectively doing, I guess what you would call plumbing work on the roof where they were sealing gaps, flashing, otherwise the rain would fall through it,” he told the 6PR radio.

One person at the university, who wanted to remain anonymous, told NCA NewsWire that he heard a “boom sound” while having lunch on the other side of campus.

“I didn’t think much about it. Then I was meditating and I could hear all the sirens,” he said.

A Curtin University spokesperson confirmed that the collapse occurred at building 418, which was currently under construction, and the site was being managed by Lend Lease.

“We have been informed that no Curtin students or staff were involved in the incident,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this accident.”

The building, which sits on the north end of campus, is part of a project called The Exchange, which includes a hotel, student housing, and retail space.

Curtin University also sent a text alert to all students after the collapse that read: “There has been an accident at the Building 418 construction site. Emergency services personnel are on site. Avoid the area and avoid University. Boulevard “.

Four WorkSafe agents have also been dispatched to the scene.