Family shattered as 15-year-old concreter Beau Bradford killed in freak worksite accident on Gold Coast

A hard-working 15-year-old who “could brighten any room” has died after a workplace accident only six months into the job.

Beau Bradford was concreting on a building site at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast when an object fell from the boom of a pump truck and struck him about 7am on Monday.

Paramedics treated him at the scene before rushing him to Gold Coast University Hospital, but he could not be saved.

“They worked on him for a long time before they could even transport him,” Beau’s mother, Amanda Dalrymple, told 7NEWS.com.au.

“I’m about to have to turn his heart machine off because he’s already gone… so (I’m) not very well.”

Dalrymple, along with Beau’s father Cameron Bradford and his eight-year-old sister, Irah, are “heartbroken beyond words” as they try to “navigate the unimaginable”.

She said Beau was always happy and “a light in the room”.

“He was very funny. He loved dressing up. He loved his shoes. He loved his friends and his family, and he loved working,” she said.

“I just loved how he annoyed me all the time, and thought it was so funny — how he played his gangsta music in my car and made me listen to it, how he would tell me about his Rust game and I had no idea what he was talking about.”

‘Wasn’t built for classroom walls’

Beau’s aunt Alicia Downs said the teenager “wasn’t built for classroom walls” and had left school to pursue concreting full-time.

He first began working at Domino’s with Dalrymple’s sister before taking on the concreting job about six months ago.

He was due to sign his apprenticeship in the coming weeks and dreamed of one day running his own company.

“He loved being on-site, learning new things and pushing himself,” Downs wrote on a GoFundMe page to help the family.

“He had a work ethic that many adults spend a lifetime trying to find, and he was so incredibly proud of the path he was carving for himself.”

She described Beau as a “cherished son”, an “adored big brother” and a “loved stepson, nephew, grandson and cousin”.

“His kindness, his caring heart, and his quick sense of humour could brighten any room.

“If you ever had the privilege of meeting Beau, you’d know that the world is a lot dimmer today without him.”

Downs said the fundraiser was created to “support Beau’s family with funeral costs, time off work to grieve, and anything needed to honour his memory properly”.

“Spread your wings and fly high, Beau Beau. You are forever loved, and we will carry your light with us always,” she wrote.

‘Heart of the crew’

A concreting company Beau worked with also shared a heartfelt tribute, calling the 15-year-old “the heart of this crew”.

“Mate you brought so much joy and laughter to us all,” the post read.

“Your attitude, work ethic and determination for such a young lad, it was so rare and impressive and we were all so proud of you my mate.

“We will never forget you mate we love you so much and you will forever ever be in our hearts.”

Friends gathered at the hospital to say their goodbyes, with tributes continuing to pour in online.

“Fly high lil Beau, it is indescribable everyone’s pain that you’re gone,” one friend wrote.

“Thank you for all the kindness and happiness you brought into everyone’s life. Always being there when someone needs advice, help or even a smile on their face.”

Another wrote: “Goodbye for now, my friend. I couldn’t thank you any more. You always found a way to put a smile on our faces, always found a way to brighten everyone’s mood… honestly one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

“I can’t believe you are gone man, we will see each other in another lifetime. So for now stay safe my brother I love you, see you soon.”

Call for safety improvements

Dalrymple has urged authorities to improve safety rules for machinery and equipment on job sites to prevent similar tragedies.

Queensland Police said Beau’s death was “sudden and non-suspicious”.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) said it was notified of the incident.

“WHSQ Inspectors attended the site and are investigating,” a spokesperson said.