Non-Inquest findings into the deaths of Ashley Pangana Morris and Humbereto Ferreira Leite

Male·Multiple injuries due to or as a consequence of concrete wall collapse

Two workers, Ashley Morris (34) and Humberto Leite (55), were fatally crushed by collapsing concrete wall panels on 6 October 2016 while installing foul water settling tanks at Eagle Farm Racecourse. The work system designed and directed by Claudio D'Alessandro violated fundamental safety principles. Workers were positioned inside an excavation pit with no escape route, inadequate diagonal bracing (one per panel instead of the required two), no lateral restraint at panel bases, and uneven gravel flooring instead of concrete pads. The fourth panel's installation applied lateral forces that catastrophically failed the bracing system. Compliance with the Tilt-up and Pre-cast Construction Code of Practice 2003 would have prevented the incident. D'Alessandro was charged with manslaughter but proceedings were discontinued after he suffered a stroke in 2019. The principal contractor, Criscon, was successfully prosecuted and fined $625,000.