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Wife's gut-wrenching tribute to Aussie truckie who died at work

Tributes are flowing for an Adelaide husband and father who lost his life in a workplace accident, described as "one in a million".

Steve Dowell, 52, who was an experienced truck driver, had been in his new job for a few weeks when the tragic accident occurred on Wednesday, 7 News reports.

According to South Australia Police, emergency services rushed to the business on White Road at Gepps Cross just before 6.30am, after Mr Dowell was reported to to be wedged between a truck and a trailer.

A photo of couple Steve Dowell and Vanessa Dowell with their pet dog.
The wife of Adelaide man, Steve Dowell, has shared a touching tribute after he died in a workplace accident. Source: Facebook / Vanessa Dowell and Facebook / Steve Dowell

The Craigmore resident was at Visy packaging depot when he stepped out of the semi-trailer he was driving and the vehicle tragically rolled backwards, 7 News reports.

He died at the scene.

Police have advised there are "no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident" but are investigating further along with SafeWork SA.

Wife delivers heartbreaking tribute

Mr Dowell's wife, Vanessa Dowell, has described her husband as a "beautiful man" and "amazing dad".

“I love him so much and I never got to tell him the day that he left," she told 7 News. "I know he knew it".

“He’s someone I’m going to miss very dearly. I’ve lost my best friend".

The couple met when they were just 16 and have been married for 32 years, the publication reports, and together they had their daughter Kerryn.

“He had tea parties on the lawn with his daughter when she was little with teddies, coached her soccer team, he even serviced her car on Sunday just gone," Ms Dowell said to the publication.

A photo of Steve and Vanessa when they were young and another photo of Steve and his daughter, Kerryn.
Steve and Vanessa met when they were 16 years old and raised their daughter, Kerryn (right). Source: Facebook / Vanessa Dowell and Facebook / Steve Dowell

Others also shared their stories about the Adelaide man, describing him as the best mate.

"I lost a true mate in a work place accident. I'll miss our chats though the day our few beers in the afternoon when we could manage it," Brian Turner said on Facebook.

"Steve Dowell was always there to lend a hand or moral support. He was there for all his friends he was one in a million."

"I don’t even know how to start, but myself, Tammy and the kids would like to give our heart felt condolences to Vanessa Dowell and Kerryn," Chris Kosonen said on Facebook.

"Steve was someone who would go out of his way to help anybody anytime, he was a mate that I would have numerous conversations with on a daily basis.

"It won’t be the same not having that call to look forward to anymore."

SafeWork SA comments on fatal incident

The SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell, has also spoken out about the incident.

"Our thoughts are with the man’s family, friends, and workmates at this sad time," he said in a statement.

"This tragic event is a timely reminder for businesses and workers to remain vigilant to all workplace risks and ensure workplace risks are identified, eliminated, or controlled to reasonably practicable level.

"Controlling workplace risks must be done in consultation with workers and Health & Safety Representatives.

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