Work accident turns senior man's job into a life-threatening situation

Outdoor workplaces offer a breath of fresh air, especially if these jobs involve places of leisure and sport.

However, its nature also makes workers susceptible to accidents.

In one of the serene private clubs of the country, a tragic event unfolded, leaving its community in shock.


An elderly groundskeeper in the Windaroo Lakes Golf Club was in the middle of his routine: maintaining the park's greenery.

However, the man got critically injured in a freak accident involving a ride-on lawnmower.

The incident occurred last Wednesday, around 7:30 am, when the groundskeeper was minding his business as usual.

In a harrowing turn of events, the lawnmower suddenly flipped and rolled down an embankment, which later on plunged into a lake.


compressed-lawn mower.jpeg
The groundskeeper was in the middle of the job when the accident happened. Image Credit: Pexels/Hermaion


The man, whose identity has been withheld, got trapped under the heavy machinery and sustained injuries.

Emergency services rushed to the scene to pull the man to safety.

He was then rushed to the Princess Alexandria Hospital in a critical condition, fighting for his life with life-threatening injuries.


The Windaroo Lakes Golf Club took to social media to inform community members of the accident.

'The individual involved is currently receiving excellent care at the PA Hospital. A thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident is underway,' the club wrote in a statement.

The post emphasised the gravity of the situation and requested privacy and sensitivity for the injured man and his family.

The Queensland Fire Department also responded to the emergency and removed the lawnmower from the lake.

Meanwhile, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland looked at the incident as an industrial accident.

However, they launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and how to prevent future occurrences.


This unfortunate event should be a stark reminder of the potential dangers that may happen, even during routine tasks.

It also highlighted the importance of workplace safety, particularly for seniors who are still in the workforce.

The physical demands and risks associated with specific jobs could be straining, and employers must ensure a safe working environment for employees, regardless of age.

As we await further updates on the groundskeeper's condition, our thoughts go out to him and his loved ones.

We hope for his full recovery.
Key Takeaways

  • An elderly groundskeeper was critically injured in a ride-on lawnmower accident at the Windaroo Lakes Golf Club.
  • The man got trapped under the overturned lawnmower, which rolled into a lake. The man also sustained life-threatening head and neck injuries.
  • The unidentified man was rushed to the Princess Alexandria Hospital for medical assistance.
  • Workplace Health and Safety Queensland started investigating the accident to plan out preventive measures.
Have you or someone you know experienced an accident while at work? How did it impact your view on workplace safety protocols? Share your stories, thoughts, and well wishes for the man in the comments below.
 
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Flipping manly happens when they are mowing on a slop/embankment.

These mowers are only stable if they are used correctly on Dead FLAT lawn/ground.

I have a slopping ground at my place which means about half I still have to mow with a PUSH mower & WippySnipper.
 

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We have had a few incidents of accidents on ride on mowers up here in Queensland. Most of them have been fatalities. Is this something to do with the design of the mower or inattention? So sad for him and his family as you don't expect to go to work and maybe never come home again
He was on a steep incline so it was not a freak accident
 
Flipping manly happens when they are mowing on a slop/embankment.

These mowers are only stable if they are used correctly on Dead FLAT lawn/ground.

I have a slopping ground at my place which means about half I still have to mow with a PUSH mower & WippySnipper.
What a lovely property you have!
 
Just like a tractor, you don't take them on steep slopes. At least with a tractor though, you can always put the rear wheels out. (Widen the distance between the rear wheels). 👌👍
 
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Flipping manly happens when they are mowing on a slop/embankment.

These mowers are only stable if they are used correctly on Dead FLAT lawn/ground.

I have a slopping ground at my place which means about half I still have to mow with a PUSH mower & WippySnipper.
Looks like God's country NotNats.
 
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Reactions: NotNats and deni67

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