Key Takeaways
- Andy Jones, 37, died when a 2.4‑metre scaffolding tower collapsed and pinned him against a fence while he watched his son’s under‑15s soccer match at Teralba Park, Brisbane, on 25 July 2021.
- Witnesses described a sudden, severe wind gust “nearly enough to blow you off your feet,” which caught volunteers and officials off guard despite the day being characterised as windy but not extreme.
- The scaffolding had been erected by Mobile Scaffolds Queensland in a thoroughfare with unrestricted pedestrian access; the local league’s policy allowed game cancellations for thunderstorms, heat and humidity but not for wind.
- A workplace‑health‑and‑safety investigator recommended referral for prosecution; Mobile Scaffolds Queensland was later fined $400,000 after entering liquidation, and the company’s former owner admitted he performed only a mental risk assessment rather than following a checklist.
- The scaffold manufacturer, Oldfields Access, had warned in its manual that extra precautions are needed in windy or gusty conditions, reinforcing that standard setup may be insufficient.
- The inquest highlighted gaps in risk‑assessment procedures, inadequate wind‑specific safety policies, and the need for stricter oversight of temporary structures at community sports venues.
Incident Overview
On the afternoon of 25 July 2021, Andy Jones was standing near a 2.4‑metre scaffolding tower at Mitchelton Football Club’s ground in Teralba Park, watching his son play in an under‑15s match. Without warning, the tower toppled, crushing Jones against a perimeter fence and inflicting fatal chest injuries. Emergency services arrived quickly, but Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. The tragedy prompted a three‑day inquest that began almost five years later, in May 2026, to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether any parties bore responsibility for the fatal incident.
Weather Conditions and Witness Testimony
Volunteer coach Jason Gouge testified that the day felt like a typical windy winter’s day ahead of the Ekka, with westerly winds picking up. However, at approximately 12:25 p.m., a sudden, severe wind gust struck the field. Gouge described the gust as “nearly enough to blow you off your feet, or push you forward if you were light on your feet, and it was strong enough to blow over the scaffolding.” Another spectator, Michael Mills, recalled hearing a howling noise and shouting a warning just moments before the tower fell, noting that Jones had been about two metres to his left, standing in the centre of the scaffold. Both accounts underscored the unexpected intensity of the gust, which caught everyone present off guard despite the generally breezy conditions.
Scaffolding Placement and Access
Witnesses told the inquest that the scaffolding tower had been positioned in a thoroughfare across the playing field, with no barriers or signage restricting pedestrian traffic. This placement meant that anyone walking near the field—players, spectators, or officials—could inadvertently come into contact with the structure. The lack of physical restrictions increased the risk that a destabilised scaffold could strike a person, as tragically occurred when the tower fell and pinned Jones against the fence. The inquest heard that the scaffold had been erected earlier that year, on 13 April 2021, to replace a graffiti‑covered unit, and remained in place for the duration of the season.
Governing Body Directives and Lack of Wind Policy
Football Queensland, the governing body overseeing Mitchelton Football Club, had issued a directive requiring scaffolding to be erected at all games for the purpose of filming and live‑streaming matches. While the local league possessed policies that permitted the postponement or cancellation of games in response to thunderstorm activity, excessive heat, or high humidity, no comparable provision existed for adverse wind conditions. Consequently, when the severe gust arose, officials had no formal authority to halt the match or to evacuate the area, leaving the scaffolding exposed to the wind’s force without any procedural safeguard.
Investigation Findings and Regulatory Action
Kieren Jones, a former senior investigator with Workplace Heath and Safety Queensland, examined the incident and concluded that it warranted referral to the Office of Industrial Relations for possible prosecution. His recommendation was acted upon, and in October 2024 the regulator imposed a $400,000 fine on Mobile Scaffolds Queensland. By that time, the company had already been placed into liquidation, which complicated efforts to collect the penalty. The fine reflected the regulator’s determination that the company had failed to meet its occupational health and safety obligations concerning the erection, securing, and monitoring of temporary structures under adverse weather conditions.
Company’s Risk Assessment and Manufacturer Warnings
During the inquest, counsel for Jones’ widow questioned Chris Sweedman, the former owner of Mobile Scaffolds Queensland, about whether he had conducted a formal risk assessment using a checklist as stipulated in the company’s own handbook. Sweedman replied, “I just performed a risk assessment in my head,” indicating a reliance on informal judgment rather than a documented, systematic process. The scaffold’s manufacturer, Oldfields Access, had included a warning in its instruction manual that extra precautions were necessary to secure the equipment in windy or gusty conditions. In a written submission to the court, Oldfields clarified that the statement served as a caution that standard setup measures might be insufficient in adverse weather or site‑specific circumstances, and that additional, site‑tailored precautions were required. This warning highlighted a gap between the manufacturer’s guidance and the practical actions taken on the ground.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
The inquest, presided over by Coroner Megan Fairweather, heard testimony from volunteers, officials, experts, and the deceased’s family. While the proceedings were primarily fact‑finding, they set the stage for any potential civil or criminal actions that might follow the coroner’s findings. The regulator’s fine against Mobile Scaffolds Queensland represented the most tangible accountability measure to date, though the company’s liquidation limited the practical impact of the penalty. The inquest also examined whether any individuals—such as the scaffold erector, club officials, or governing‑body representatives—could be held liable for negligence, with a final determination pending the coroner’s report.
Broader Implications and Safety Lessons
The tragedy at Teralba Park underscores several critical safety lessons for community sports organisations, equipment suppliers, and regulators. First, temporary structures such as scaffolding must be subject to rigorous, documented risk assessments that explicitly consider weather forecasts, particularly wind speeds that could compromise stability. Second, policies governing game cancellations or delays should incorporate wind thresholds, mirroring existing provisions for thunderstorms, heat, and humidity. Third, clear physical barriers or exclusion zones should be erected around scaffolding to prevent pedestrians from entering hazardous areas. Finally, manufacturers’ warnings—like those from Oldfields Access—must be communicated effectively to end‑users and enforced through training and supervision. By addressing these gaps, similar incidents can be prevented, ensuring that volunteers, spectators, and athletes can enjoy community sport without exposure to preventable structural hazards.