Two window cleaners are left disabled with horrific injuries after plummeting 12 storeys to ground

Two window cleaners are left disabled with horrific injuries after plummeting 12 storeys to the ground when their platform collapses

  • Window cleaning company has been fined after two cleaners were left disabled  
  • David Wilson and Edwin Acero-Castellanos fell 12 storeys in Sydney CBD in 2015 
  • Building Maintenance Unit Service Pty Ltd was fined $300,000 on Monday 

A window cleaning company has been fined $300,000 after two cleaners were left disabled when their platform plummeted 12 storeys to the ground.

David Wilson and Colombian native Edwin Acero-Castellanos fell while cleaning windows outside the Australian Stock Exchange building on Pitt Street, in Sydney’s CBD, in October 2015.

At the NSW District Court on Monday, Building Maintenance Unit Service Pty Ltd was handed the fine after an investigation found they were negligent by failing to inspect the platform.

A window cleaning company has been fined $300,000 after two cleaners were left disabled when their platform plummeted 12 storeys to the ground (pictured) 

David Wilson and Colombian native Edwin Acero-Castellanos fell while cleaning windows in Sydney's CBD, in October 2015

David Wilson and Colombian native Edwin Acero-Castellanos fell while cleaning windows in Sydney’s CBD, in October 2015

The platform plunged about 30 metres to the ground and both cleaners miraculously survived the accident – but they were left with horrific injuries. 

Mr Wilson landed on the awning while inside the platform which fell onto one side and Mr Acero-Castellanos fell over the edge and was saved by his safety harness from hitting the cement.

Judge Andrew Scotting described the impact of the accident as life changing for the two survivors who have been left with permanent disability.

Mr Wilson suffered bleeding on the brain and was put in a medically induced coma. He has since experienced mood changes and memory loss. 

Mr Wilson, who required a shoulder reconstruction, also broke his jaw, teeth, right leg, ribs and suffered a right wrist injury.

He is unable to surf, swim or go scuba diving and the accident has also impacted his wife. 

At the NSW District Court on Monday, Building Maintenance Unit Service Pty Ltd was handed the fine after an investigation found they were negligent by failing to inspect the platform

At the NSW District Court on Monday, Building Maintenance Unit Service Pty Ltd was handed the fine after an investigation found they were negligent by failing to inspect the platform

The pair were cleaning windows outside the Australian Stock Exchange building on Pitt Street

The pair were cleaning windows outside the Australian Stock Exchange building on Pitt Street

Mr Acero-Castellanos has experienced humiliation and depression as well as suffering from severe back pain. 

The 2015 incident attracted a lot of attention at the time as Mr Acero-Castellanos was heard yelling ‘help me’ to those in the area.

Judge Scotting found that the likelihood of the risk occurring was high.

‘More than one worker was exposed to the risk. The risk included a risk of death,’ he said.

‘The means of preventing the risk were simple and inexpensive.’

‘The offender ((Building Maintenance Unit Service) could have refused to set up the BMU (platform) until it had been properly inspected.’ 

In December 2017, Building Maintenance Unit Service ceased trading as it was sold to pay off creditors. 

Judge Scotting imposed a fine of $300,000 after reducing the fine by 25 per cent due to a guilty plea.

The maximum penalty for the offence is $1.5million. 

Judge Andrew Scotting described the impact of the accident as life changing for the two survivors who have been left with permanent disability

Judge Andrew Scotting described the impact of the accident as life changing for the two survivors who have been left with permanent disability

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