Traffic controller in critical condition after being hit by car at Brisbane worksite

A traffic controller is fighting for his life in hospital after being hit by a car while working in Brisbane’s north.

Michael De Voss, 69, was setting up his “dead lane” on a Brisbane City Council worksite on Kelvin Grove Rd, Kelvin Grove just after 1.30am on Friday when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

The AVADA Group employee was taken to Royal Brisbane in a “life-threatening condition” with a serious head injury, a fractured hip, broken ribs, a broken collar bone and a broken leg.

He was placed in a medically induced coma, however, he has since regained consciousness.

CFMEU Queensland and Northern Territory Offsite Co-ordinator Blake Hynes said the safety incident was the second involving a council traffic controller in the past month.

“The traffic controller was setting up a busy multi-lane road on his own. Under the regulations, he should have had the support of at least one other worker and a ute to provide an extra layer of protection,” Hynes said.

“This incident illustrates why traffic control is one of the most dangerous jobs.

“What might seem like a small error by management can lead to a major injury for the worker — or even a fatality.”

Hynes claimed the “preventable incident” occurred due to “safety oversights” at Brisbane City Council asphalt services.

“The CFMEU is calling for all outdoor council workers across Queensland to be treated with the same dignity and respect as the indoor workers.”

A Brisbane City Council spokesperson said it would “act on any recommendations made” following the investigation by Queensland Police and Queensland Work Place Health and Safety.

Queensland Police said the investigations are “continuing”.

“The driver of the vehicle, a 70-year-old man, was taken to Royal Brisbane Hospital as a precaution. The vehicle was towed,” a spokesperson said.

A fundraiser has since been created to help De Voss, known by friends as Vossey, on his “long road to recovery”.

“Vossey is not only a work colleague, he has become like family to a lot of traffic controllers. His love for the job and his kind, quirky and positive attitude is something you notice straight away when you meet Vossey,” colleague Simone Fischer wrote.

“I’m sure we can all agree that an incident like this is unimaginable and brings us all closer together in this kind of industry.”