A worker crushed to death by a 22-tonne wind turbine blade has been remembered as an ‘amazing’ mate by friends who have rallied to support his heartbroken wife.
Jess Patience, 36, died when the huge prop fell on him as he worked at Golden Plains wind farm in Rokewood, Victoria, 132km west of Melbourne, at 8am on Monday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save him.
WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the incident and the Australian Workers’ Union branded it an ‘avoidable accident’, and said the ‘devastating loss could have been prevented’.
Vestas, the company that owns the wind farm, confirmed the site had been closed while emergency services and the authorities continue their work.
Another Golden Plains worker, Elliot Sawkins, said his team had lost one of its ‘brothers’ in a tribute on social media.
A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family and widow of Jess Patience who died in a workplace accident on Monday
Mr Sawkins wrote that Mr Patience was ‘one of the most friendly guys I’ve met’.
‘[He] took me under his wing to teach me a lot in the time I worked with him,’ Mr Sawkins wrote.
‘He was always down for a chat about a lot of our shared experiences from growing up in the ranges to living in Canada, he was a top fella.’
‘This tragedy has resulted in someone not returning home from work and has left behind his wife.’
Footage of the worksite from 7News showed three turbines, with two appearing to be held up by a metal structure.
The third blade appeared to have fallen from the structure holding it up, and there was also a crumpled ladder on the ground next to a large blade.
The wind turbine was reportedly under construction and its blades can weigh up to 22 tonnes each.
Several emergency service vehicles, including an ambulance, a firetruck and police were seen at the site.
Jess Patience died when a wind turbine blade crushed him at the Golden Plains wind farm in Rokewood, Victoria, 132km west of Melbourne, at 8am on Monday
Workers in high-viz clothing and hard hats were at the scene, along with police, paramedics and SES volunteers.
Some distraught workers gathered in a nearby paddock after the tragedy.
A GoFundMe has been launched by friend Lee Denko to support Mr Patience’s widow and his family with funeral costs.
Mr Denko described Mr Patience as an ‘amazing man’ who ‘should still be here’.
‘As we come to terms with this unimaginable loss, we want to honour his memory and support his family during this difficult time,’ Mr Denko wrote on social media.
‘We invite you to join us in celebrating Jess’s life and legacy. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference.’
He urged everyone to celebrate ‘Jesse’s life and legacy’ by donating to the fundraiser.
It has already raised more than $75,000 in just two days, including a $5,000 donation from a wind turbine installation company.
