Police and WorkSafe probe incident at Auto Tow Services
Police and workplace safety regulators are investigating after a 29-year-old woman was fatally injured at a towing yard in Perth's Osborne Park on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services were called to Auto Tow Services, near the corner of Sundercombe Street and Collingwood Street, at about 5:40am. Despite receiving emergency first aid at the scene, the woman was pronounced dead. Police have described the event as a "workplace incident" and WorkSafe WA has opened an inquiry.
What happened
Initial accounts indicate the woman was a tow truck driver who was unloading a vehicle from a tilt tray when the incident occurred. WorkSafe WA said investigators would "thoroughly examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature."
"The woman was reported to have been unloading a car from a tow truck tilt tray when the fatal incident occurred."
The yard's operator, Auto Tow Services, described the death as a "tragic loss" and offered condolences to the woman's family and friends. The Transport Workers Union's WA branch also said it was examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
Local reaction and safety concerns
WA's Shadow Industrial Relations Minister, Steve Thomas, expressed sympathy and highlighted the wider issue of workplace safety, saying it was an "absolute tragedy" when people do not return home from work. The incident has prompted attention from unions, regulators and the local community about practices in vehicle recovery and tow-yard operations.
Details about the woman's identity have not been released publicly while police and WorkSafe continue their enquiries. Authorities have not yet indicated whether any charges will be laid; those decisions will depend on the outcome of the investigations.
What will happen next?
- WorkSafe WA will conduct a formal workplace investigation to determine compliance with safety laws and whether further action is required.
- Police will continue their inquiries into the circumstances of the death.
- The Transport Workers Union and other bodies may review industry practices for vehicle loading and unloading and promote guidance to reduce future risks.
The timeline for the investigations has not been specified. WorkSafe statements indicate a thorough examination of the site and practices, which can include interviewing witnesses, reviewing equipment, and analysing procedures at the towing yard.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Auto Tow Services, Sundercombe St & Collingwood St, Osborne Park, Perth |
| Time reported | About 5:40am, Tuesday |
| Victim | 29-year-old female tow truck driver |
| Authorities involved | WA Police, WorkSafe WA, Transport Workers Union (WA) |
Wider implications for Perth workplaces
Workplace deaths are rare but serious events that generally trigger reviews of industry practices and regulatory compliance. In sectors that involve moving heavy vehicles and use of tilt trays or ramps, regulators often focus on mechanical condition of equipment, competence and training of staff, supervising procedures, and whether safe systems of work were in place and followed.
For Perth residents and those employed in vehicle recovery, this incident is likely to prompt renewed attention to safety measures on sites where vehicles are loaded and unloaded. It also underlines the role of WorkSafe WA and unions in investigating incidents and pushing for improvements to prevent recurrence.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to assist police enquiries. Further updates will be released as regulators and investigators provide their findings.
