90 Year Old Woman Dies After Fall on Travellator

90 Year Old Woman Dies After Fall on Travellator

A ninety-year-old woman died shortly after falling on a shopping centre travelator during a supervised outing with a carer in February 2019. Shocking video footage shows the woman, who used a wheelie walker, losing balance and falling backwards on the moving surface with no physical support from her carer.

After the fall, she hit her left side badly before the walker struck her, then the carer pulled her up from the travelator by both arms. This tragic case highlights ongoing safety concerns for elderly residents in care, similar to incidents reported in other workplace fall fatalities across Australia.

Background on the Incident

The woman lived independently in a unit at a retirement village on Sydney's North Shore and was rated as having a "medium" fall risk. She received care from workers assisting with showering, cleaning, and trips to local shops.

Following the accident, she was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital but died 24 hours later. Her daughter contacted the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the safety regulator, and lodged a complaint the day after her mother's death.

The regulator initially responded by confirming the aged care home would conduct an investigation. However, just one month later, the family were shocked to learn the case had been closed without any enforcement action being taken.

The family now calls on the New South Wales coroner to hold an inquest into their mother's death. Read the full news coverage on the ABC News website.

Death of Spectator at Finke Desert Race

On the final day of the Finke Desert Race in the Northern Territory, a spectator died after being struck by a vehicle competing in the event. Held annually over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June, this off-road, multi-terrain race covers bikes, cars, buggies and quad bikes travelling through desert country toward the small Aputula (Finke) community.

What Happened During the Race

The tragedy occurred roughly 35 km from the two-day race's start and finish line in Alice Springs. A man in his 60's died at the scene, while another spectator in his 50's suffered serious injuries. The vehicle's navigator, a woman in her 50's, sustained only minor injuries.

Motorsport Australia confirmed it would conduct a full investigation into the fatal accident. "Motorsport Australia is also providing ongoing support and assistance to all competitors, officials and those associated with the event, including providing counselling services," the organisation said in a statement.

Northern Territory Police cordoned off the site, declaring it a crime scene while investigations proceeded. Read the complete news report on the Sydney Morning Herald website.

Understanding Fall Risks in Public and Recreational Spaces

Both incidents underscore how quickly serious accidents can unfold, whether on a travelator inside a shopping centre or at a live motorsport event in remote terrain. Employers, event organisers, and care providers carry ongoing obligations to assess risks and implement appropriate controls.

For businesses managing worksites with fall hazards, having documented safe work method statements can help reduce risk. SafetyDocs offers templates including a Soft-fall Surface Removal & Installation SWMS and a Fall Restraint Safe Operating Procedure to support safer work practices.

Other recent safety news stories, including a tradie's death following a fall at an NSW construction site and a woman's death after a rolling quad bike incident on a Victorian farm, further highlight why robust safety documentation matters across every industry.

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