'Happy go lucky' plumber who died in horror construction site drowning was engaged
The emotional father of a young plumber who drowned working at a Perth construction site last week has remembered his boy as “a great guy” who was caring and loved his family, fiancée and friends.
Workmates tried desperately to save Ryan Duffus after a burst water main filled the trench he was working in at Mosman Park Wednesday last week.
The 26-year-old was a remembered as a caring son and brother, and a doting uncle.
He was looking forward to starting his own family after proposing to partner Anita last Christmas, but their marriage was never to be.
Ryan drowned in a safety box he was working in when a water main burst. Workmates frantically tried to pull him free as the trench filled with water and mud, but they could not save him.
It took rescuers almost nine hours to free his body.
Mr Duffs’ father Neil told 7News he has struggled to come to terms with his son’s final moments.
“He was just such a happy, go lucky bloke. He was just such a great guy.
“[His workmates] have been very, very helpful and I’d like to thank them very much,” he said.
The grieving dad said he has lived through the pain of not being able to save his son for the past week.
“I don’t want to try and think about it again. We all sound strong on the outside, but inside, we’re broken up, I think.”
Workmates described Mr Duffus as “a great bloke to be around”, according to a GoFundMe page created to help bring his body home to New South Wales.
“Ryan was a much-loved human being as well as a respected, highly-skilled tradesperson,” according to the page set up by The Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of WA and Vivian Plumbing.
“His passing has left a gaping hole in the lives of everyone who knew him, especially his family, girlfriend and co-workers.”
WorkSafe continues to investigate what went wrong at the worksite, but Mr Duffus’ father said he wants to wait for the official inquiry and doesn’t want people “jumping to conclusions”.
Mr Duffus dedicated 10 years of his life to helping community charities, now the fundraising page will help support his family with funeral expenses. It has already raised more than $25,000.
