Tributes have flowed for a teenage boy crushed when a 100 kilogram weight fell on him in a freak gym accident, as an investigation into his shocking death continues.
Ben Shaw was reportedly stuck for up to 30 minutes beneath the heavy barbell after it fell on his neck and pinned him at the Pine Rivers PCYC gym in Brisbane this week.
When finally discovered by gym staff the 15-year-old was rushed to hospital and put on life support, before his family made a heartbreaking call to turn it off on Saturday.
But despite currently facing police and Worksafe investigations into the incident, the gym where Ben was training at the time has joined Ben’s friends and family in paying tribute to the budding weightlifter.
Ben Shaw (pictured), the teenage boy crushed beneath a heavy weight at a Brisbane gym this week, had his life support switched off by his shattered family three days after the incident
Despite currently facing police and Worksafe investigations into the incident, the gym where Ben was training at the time has paid tribute in the wake of his death
Staff at the Pine Rivers PCYC (pictured) administered first aid to Ben until paramedics arrived and took him to Lady Cilento Hospital in a critical condition on Wednesday evening
In a brief statement on their Facebook page, Pine Rivers PCYC said: ‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Ben Shaw at this difficult time.’
Hours earlier Ben’s father Scott also took to social media to share a photo of his son smiling and wearing a hat of his beloved NRL team the North Queensland Cowboys.
The teenager’s friends also paid tribute, remembering him as being ‘loved by many’ and leaving floral tributes at the Pine Rivers PCYC.
‘Tragically taken away far too soon… my deepest condolences go out to his parents, family and friends,’ one mourner wrote.
‘Taken way too early brother… like they say the good die young, it’s not fair one bit,’ said another.
His junior rugby league club also praised the teenager for leaving behind a ‘legacy’ with his family’s decision to donate his organs.
Hours after switching off his son’s life support, Ben’s father took to Facebook to post a photo of his smiling son wearing a hat of his beloved NRL side North Queensland Cowboys (pictured)
Tributes have flowed from Ben’s family and friends, while some left floral tributes outside the gym where the incident happened
His junior rugby league club released a statement telling how Ben had left a ‘legacy’ by being able to donate his organs (pictured)
The 15-year-old’s neck was reportedly pinned under the equipment while he was working out
The gym where he suffered the injuries has remained closed since the incident.
Friends of Ben said he was a regular at the gym and had been competing in junior weightlifting competitions across the state.
Two staff members at the gym performed first aid on Ben until paramedics could arrive and rush him to hospital.
Worksafe Queensland has launched an investigation into the Pine Rivers PCYC and the incident.