Our condolences go out to Mr. Attard’s family, friends and colleagues.

From the Maritime Union of Australia

The Maritime Union of Australia passes on with great sadness the news that an MUA member and delegate has been crushed to death on board a ship at the Toll Shipping facility in Port Melbourne. Anthony Attard, aged in his 40s, was helping load cargo onto the Tasmanian at about 1.45pm on Tuesday when the incident occurred.

Ambulance Victoria said they treated the man at the scene, but he could not be saved.

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said: “The MUA, its officials, staff and members express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Attard. Anthony was well liked by all and was a proud and staunch member of the MUA. Anthony was a delegate and a representative on the EBA committee in the workplace. He was a family man and comrade to all.”

Mr Attard’s brother and best friend were with him when he died. He is survived by his wife and three children.

“The MUA has long campaigned for better safety and now demands that this crisis in waterfront safety be addressed by regulation,” Mr Crumlin said. “Safety must be mandatory and it must be law.”

More at the Maritime Union of Australia