Man dies after falling from roof at Innovation Campus | Illawarra Mercury

Man dies after falling from roof at Innovation Campus

NSW Ambulance duty operations manager Norm Rees has confirmed that the man died on Thursday night, due to the severity of his injuries.

Earlier: 

A man had to be rushed to Wollongong Hospital after falling through a roof while working at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Emergency services found the 55-year-old man unconscious when they arrived on scene just before 3pm on Thursday.

NSW Ambulance duty operations manager Norm Rees said he believed workers were removing asbestos from the property when the man fell approximately two to two and a half metres through a roof.

“As a result of the fall the male has gone unconscious due to a head injury,” Mr Rees said.

“We’ve initiated our treatments and stabilised him at the scene and we are transporting him to Wollongong Hospital for further treatment.

A 55-year-old man is reported to have fallen from a roof. Picture: Sylvia Liber

“We didn’t have to do any CPR. He was what we call hyper ventillating, so we incubated him and started breathing for him.”

In a statement, the University of Wollongong said the man was a contractor who had fallen from a roof at a demolition site adjacent to the Campus East student accommodation, located at the northern end of the Innovation Campus in Squires Way, North Wollongong.

“The University is concerned about the man’s wellbeing and is in the process of contacting his employer and family to express support at this time,” the statement said.

“University staff are investigating the incident and will assist NSW workplace safety authorities with any investigation as needed.

“Demolition works have been underway at the site since November to remove old student accommodation buildings that are longer in use.”

A Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokesperson said the 55-year-old man was in critical condition.