Irish national Barry Breslin identified as worker killed in workplace incident on Mitchell Freeway

A 35-year-old man who died in a tragic workplace incident at a roadworks site on the Mitchell Freeway has been identified as a “loveable” father from Ireland.

Barry Breslin, from Straleel, Kilcar, was killed after he was hit by the arm of an excavator while working on the verge of the freeway’s southbound off-ramp at Warwick Road about 11.50am on Thursday.

It is believed he was among workers who were lifting concrete panels as part of smart freeway works.

Mr Breslin is understood to have suffered serious head injuries before he was taken to Royal Perth Hospital by paramedics. He died a short time later.

According to Irish media outlets, Mr Breslin was a father of one and had been living in Australia for a number of years.

Hundreds of tributes are flowing on social media in the wake of the 35-year-old’s tragic death.

“He was such a lovable lad may he R.I.P,” one mourner wrote.

“Barry was the nicest fella and always had a smile on his face when we met him in Perth,” wrote another.

An Irish funeral director shared the news on social media.

“The tragic death has occurred of Barry Breslin following an accident in Perth, Australia,” Raymond Mc Cabe from Kilcar Funeral Directors wrote.

”Beloved father to his son Tommy. Sadly missed by his loving Fiancée, Melissa, his parents Mary and Seamus, his brothers Owen (Beth & Hazel) and Shane (Gerard).

“May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Mr Breslin’s Gaelic games club in Kilcar said the community had been rocked by Mr Breslin’s death.

“It was a great shock to us all when the news reached us this morning of the untimely passing of Barry in Australia,” the club’s page CLG Cill Chartha wrote.

“Barry played underage for the club for many years and is fondly remembered by the players and all who were involved at the time and to his mother Mary, a tireless volunteer and supporter of our club over the years, our hearts go out to you and your family and we pass on our prayers to you all at this sad time.”

WorkSafe has launched an investigation into the incident which commissioner Sally North described as a “tragedy”.

She extended her condolences to the man’s “family, friends and fellow workers”.

A spokesperson for the safety regulator said the man was reported to have been hit by a “piece of equipment that fell”.

“WorkSafe investigators are currently examining the circumstances of the incident with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature,” the spokesperson said.

A worker tragically did not return home today.

CFMEU State Secretary Mick Buchan said the union was conducting its own investigations into Mr Breslin’s death, which “involved an excavator and lifting equipment”.

Mr Buchan said the tragedy marked the 10th workplace death in Western Australia this year.

“The CFMEU expresses our deepest condolences to the family and workmates of the construction worker who tragically lost his life while working on the NRW Smart Freeway Works site today,” he said.

“We’re not going to speculate on the tragic circumstances until we have the facts. All we know is that a worker tragically did not return home today.

“Again we are faced with another fatality that was entirely preventable and should never have happened.”

Police will prepare a report into the man’s death for the coroner.