The tradie who died when scaffolding collapsed at a building site in Sydney has been identified as an 18-year-old apprentice.
Christopher Cassaniti fell from the almost eight-storey structure and became trapped under the debris in Macquarie Park.
A 39-year-old co-worker remains in a critical condition at Royal North Shore hospital.
The two men were working on a 17-metre structure to the rear of the building when it collapsed at around 12.30pm.
The teenage victim’s visibly distressed parents visited the scene of the accident at the Lachlan's Line apartment project on Epping Road.
Due to the amount of debris, emergency crews had difficulty reaching Mr Cassaniti, who only celebrated his birthday last week.
“The first resources that arrived on scene found an absolutely chaotic and emotionally charged scene that took some time to ascertain what had happened,” NSW Ambulance spokesman Steve Vaughan told 9News.
"The injuries were significant."
When paramedics finally reached Mr Cassaniti, almost two hours after the collapse, he was confirmed dead at the scene.
“I heard people in there screaming ‘help us, help us, help us’ and screaming obviously in pain with all the metal that had fallen on them," witness Albert Muscat told 9News.
"We started cutting with the grinders and hammers until about 20 minutes later we couldn’t hear screaming anymore, that’s when the supervisors told us to move out.”
As many as nine ambulance units, a Careflight helicopter and multiple Fire and Rescue NSW crews were deployed to the site to assist with the operation.
Police had two eastbound lanes on Epping Road closed while they were at the scene, causing traffic delays in the area.
While all lanes have since reopened, motorists should expect delays and are advised to take an alternative route if possible.
SafeWork NSW officials are also investigating and a report will be prepared by the coroner.