Death on job in Malaga: Perth tradesman killed on Glask construction site identified as Adrian Fariña Pacheco
A veteran mechanic killed in a terrible accident at work is remembered by his heartbroken friends as someone with a ‘heart of gold’ and a ‘good Spanish guy’.
Adrian Fariña Pacheco, 59, was struck by a load of steel while working at a crane on a Glask Construction site in Malaga, north of Perth, on Tuesday afternoon.
He died on the spot, despite desperate attempts by colleagues and emergency services to resuscitate him.
The craftsman, who worked for AR Construction, was standing near a crane that another worker was operating on the steel structure of a warehouse.
Originally from the Canary Islands, Mr Fariña Pacheco moved to Australia with his Italian wife almost ten years ago to start a new life together.
His friends and colleagues have rallied behind his wife, who was described by Mr Fariña Pacheco on construction sites as his “numero uno”, which means number one in Italian.
“It’s surreal. We never imagined that we would lose a dear colleague and personal friend so suddenly,” friend Adam Briggs told the Western Australian.
“I grew up without a father. And every day he would pick me and my brother up. Every Friday we would go out to dinner and he was like a mentor to me.”
Adrian Fariña Pacheco, 59, (left) was hit by a load of steel while working on a crane in Perth. His friend Adam Briggs (right) has described the experienced rigger as having a ‘heart of gold’
Mr Briggs said colleagues who desperately tried to save the 59-year-old were “devastated” by his death.
He added that Mr. Fariña Pacheco takes workplace safety very seriously and always wears protective clothing, including a helmet and harness, in the workplace.
Kieran Glaser, managing director of Glask, told The West Australian the company is “fully cooperating with the investigating authority”.
“This tragic accident has shocked us. Glask Construction is, and has always been, fully committed to ensuring a high standard of occupational health and safety on all our construction projects,” he said.
The scene where the 59-year-old rigger died (pictured) remains closed while Worksafe investigates the workplace tragedy
Mr. Glaser added that the company is focused on providing “psychological support to our project staff.”
There have been a total of five fatal accidents reported to Worksafe in 2024 involving mobile plant, across a range of sectors. Two involved a crane.
Mobile installations include machines such as forklifts, aerial work platforms, vans, order pickers, earthmoving machines and tractors, as well as cranes.
Worksafe investigators are now investigating the incident and a report into the death of Mr Fariña Pacheco will be prepared for the coroner.
