Man, 65, fatally struck by own truck north of Adelaide

A 65-year-old man attempting to fix his broken truck has been killed after the vehicle rolled on top of him north of Adelaide, according to news reports.

Police said they found the man lying beside his truck on Wednesday morning on Hanson Rd in Adelaide's north.

He died at the scene despite attempts by paramedics to save him.

What Happened North of Adelaide

An investigation to determine the cause of the incident remains ongoing. South Australia Police continue gathering evidence from the site where the man lost his life while carrying out repairs.

Incidents involving heavy vehicles rolling onto workers highlight a recurring danger faced by tradespeople and transport workers across Australia. Similar tragedies have occurred elsewhere, including a case where a man fatally struck by truck at Sydney recycling business lost his life under comparable circumstances.

Why Truck Maintenance Incidents Keep Happening

Workers who attempt repairs on trucks without proper chocking, stabilising or lifting equipment face serious risk of crush injuries. When a vehicle isn't secured before someone works beneath or beside it, even routine maintenance can turn fatal within seconds.

This latest incident follows other workplace fatalities reported in Australian news this year, including a man fatally struck by forklift at Sydney warehouse and a man, 62, fatally crushed by pallet jack at Adelaide workplace.

Safe Work Practices for Truck Maintenance

Businesses and sole operators working on heavy vehicles should always:

• Engage park brakes and chock wheels before beginning repairs
• Use rated stands or blocks rather than relying on jacks alone
• Ensure the vehicle sits on level, stable ground
• Never work beneath a truck that isn't properly supported
• Follow a documented safe work method statement for the task

A well-prepared Truck and Dog Trailer SWMS or Concrete Truck Safe Work Method Statement can help operators identify hazards before work begins, rather than reacting after an incident occurs. For businesses running mobile plant attachments, a Truck-mounted Forklift SWMS offers similar structured guidance.

Supporting Safer Workplaces

Every fatality reported through Australian news outlets serves as a reminder that mechanical repairs demand rigorous controls, regardless of how routine a task might seem. Families losing loved ones at their home, on-site, or on the road underscores why robust documentation and training matter so much for those who work with heavy machinery daily.

Employers and workers alike should treat every repair job, whether at home or on a worksite, as an opportunity to review safety procedures rather than assume familiarity equals safety. This report has been compiled using publicly available news sources and remains subject to updates as the investigation progresses.

First published here.