A 19-year-old apprentice electrician who fell more than 12 metres through a commercial building roof at Tomago on Thursday is in a “critical” condition at John Hunter Hospital.
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Jaryd Hayter, an under-19 West Wallsend soccer player, was installing solar panels when he fell through a skylight, according to Safe Work NSW.
Paramedics were called to 24 Old Punt Road, coating business Wet and Dry Coatings Pty Ltd, at about 11.30am Thursday.
A spokesman for NSW Ambulance said on Friday that the worker had “fallen between 40 to 50 feet” and suffered significant injuries to his feet and legs.
The spokesman said the worker was wearing a harness at the time of the incident but it had “gave way”.
Police and three ambulance crews attended, including a helicopter with two doctors on board. Mr Hayter was taken to John Hunter Hospital by road.
An update on Mr Hayter’s condition from Hunter New England Health on Friday confirmed he was in a critical condition.
It is unclear who Mr Hayter was working for at the time of the incident.
Wet and Dry Coatings Pty Ltd responded to inquires on Friday but referred the Newcastle Herald to SafeWork NSW.
“Initial inquiries indicate the worker was installing solar panels on the roof of the building when he fell through a skylight and landed on the ground below,” a spokesperson from SafeWork NSW said.
“A SafeWork inspector responded to the site and SafeWork NSW’s investigation is ongoing.”
A post on the West Wallsend SFC Facebook page was flooded with messages of support for Mr Hayter, who was due to play in the under-19 Northern League One semi-finals on Sunday.
Club president Jason Taylor told the Herald on Friday Mr Hayter’s injury had left his teammates “shattered”.
“They’re not just mates, they’re best mates,” Mr Taylor said. “The club’s shattered, not to mention the West Wallsend community.
“What’s been good to see though is the support from the whole football community in Newcastle.”
