Young Worker Killed in Sydney Forklift Accident Weeks After Starting New Job

Introduction
A young man has died in a tragic forklift accident in southwest Sydney just weeks after starting his new job. Emergency services were called to an industrial site on Powdrill Road, Prestons, at 5:40am Friday, where the worker was found pinned beneath a forklift. Despite paramedics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident has triggered a workplace investigation and raised broader concerns from local residents about dangerous operating practices in the area.

Details of the Incident
The deceased, believed to be a Vietnamese national in his 20s, had reportedly only recently started working at the facility. He became trapped under a forklift while performing duties on site. NSW Police confirmed that a crime scene was established and investigations are ongoing.

“He was pinned under the machinery with critical injuries,” a police spokesperson said. “Sadly, he died at the scene.”

His identity has not yet been formally released, pending next-of-kin notification.

Eyewitness Accounts and Community Reaction
Nearby residents expressed alarm, but not surprise.

Michael Hobbs, who lives on the street, said the company’s daily operations had long concerned locals. “Crossing the road with forklifts and unloading on the streets… it was bound to happen,” he told 7NEWS. “It’s difficult to get up and down the road at times.”

Another local, Carlo Sannio, echoed the sentiment: “It was something that was going to happen sooner or later… it’s happening all the time.”

Worker Testimony and Forklift Safety
Peter Mycian, a forklift driver at the site, defended the operation but acknowledged the risks. “They’re machines — they can definitely be dangerous — but if you know how to operate one and you’ve got your licence, I don’t see them as dangerous,” he said.

He noted that forklifts frequently cross the road between two warehouses but claimed he had never witnessed an accident in his time on site.

Regulatory Response
SafeWork NSW has been notified and is investigating the circumstances. A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner.

The incident highlights persistent safety concerns in industrial zones where public roadways intersect with machinery movement—often without adequate traffic controls or separation.

Conclusion
As the community mourns the sudden loss of a young worker, authorities are now under pressure to determine whether the death could have been prevented. The tragedy has also reignited scrutiny of workplace safety enforcement, especially in high-risk roles involving heavy machinery.