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Tributes flow for young apprentice after Sydney scaffolding collapse

An Italian Australian man has died and another is critically injured after scaffolding collapsed on the pair at a Sydney worksite.

A man has died and another is critically injured after scaffolding collapsed on the pair at a Sydney worksite.
Source: AAP

Tributes are flowing for the young worker who died when scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in Sydney.

The tradesman who died when scaffolding collapsed at a building site in Sydney has been identified as Christopher Cassaniti, an 18-year-old Italian Australian apprentice.

Three days after hosting his 18th birthday party, the family of the Sydney apprentice are planning his funeral.

The formworker was crushed to death on Monday after scaffolding, 15 to 17 metres in height, collapsed on him and a co-worker at a construction site in Macquarie Park.

Mr Cassaniti initially couldn't be accessed by paramedics and was pronounced dead at the scene a few hours after the incident.

A 39-year-old co-worker remains in a critical condition at Royal North Shore hospital.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday morning said the incident was heartbreaking.

"I am just so saddened about the death of young scaffolding apprentice Christopher Cassaniti. To his parents and workmates my heart goes out to you," Mr Morrison tweeted.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten also sent his condolences and described Mr Cassaniti's death as shocking.

"As a father of three, it is incomprehensible what his family must be going through at this time - and I think I speak for everyone when I say they are in our thoughts," Mr Shorten tweeted on Tuesday.

Authorities will continue their investigations today into how the scaffold collapsed.

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2 min read

Published

By Carlo Oreglia




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