Passers-by desperately fought to save a photographer killed in a Brisbane crane collapse that left his son screaming in agony after they plunged 40 metres to the ground.
The man, 41, and his son, 17, were in the bucket of the truck-based crane, taking promotional shots of a construction site at Newstead when it toppled about 7pm on Monday.
Building industry worker James Small witnessed the drama and says the teenager was screaming in pain after falling about 40 metres or the equivalent of about 12 storeys.
People who witnessed the accident tried to resuscitate the father but he died at the scene. Others tried to work out how to free the trapped teenager.
"But the weight of this material was physically impossible to lift," Mr Small told ABC radio.
"One was critical to the point of death and the other was trapped under the cage and screaming for his life.
"It was a tragic incident but very lucky that there wasn't pedestrians in the way because the weight of this would have killed anybody in its way."
Workplace Health and Safety officials are investigating the accident, amid claims by Mr Small the crane was being operated in a dangerous way before it toppled.
"I don't believe the support systems were adequate for what they were doing," he told ABC radio.
"It was stretched to a maximum level. It was one of the highest lifts I've seen off a truck, ever, and I work in the building industry. I think they were taking risks that were unnecessary."
The crane driver reportedly suffered only minor injuries when the crane came down.
Police have said the crane was at maximum extension when it fell.
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