Afghan painter dead after Syd ladder fall
An Afghan man working as a painter in Sydney to support his nine children back home has died after falling from a ladder on a western suburbs construction site and suffering major brain injuries.
SafeWork NSW is investigating the incident after Assadullah Hussaini, 49, fell from a ladder at Pendle Hill worksite on Billabong Street on August 28. He suffered a fractured skull and multiple brain haemorrhages.
Mr Hussaini was taken to Westmead Hospital in an induced coma and underwent surgery but was pronounced brain dead on Wednesday. He was taken off life support that night.
Mr Hussaini's niece has told AAP she believes her uncle - who was working six days a week and sending most of his income to his wife and nine children in Afghanistan - did not have a white card certifying him to work in the construction industry in NSW.
Negina Sadri also claims he wasn't wearing a helmet or harness at the time of his fall.
"My husband is a doctor and we know for a fact that if he had been wearing a helmet, nothing like this would have ever happened," Ms Sadri said.
"Something so severe that could have easily been avoided."
SafeWork NSW wouldn't confirm details last week but in a statement said it had issued a non-disturbance notice and was investigating.
Ms Sadri's husband, Ali Hosiani, on Monday said he was hoping to bring Mr Hussaini's family to Australia to attend his funeral.
He's spoken to lawyers about obtaining travel visas but is concerned the family's residency in Afghanistan could hamper their plans.
"We've applied for the visas ... we're now waiting from the immigration department for their response," Mr Hosiani told AAP.
"I've heard of instances where there have been obstacles."
Mr Hosiani said his uncle - who was on a protection visa - was in the process of applying for visas for his wife and children when he died.
The Sydney company which employed Mr Hussaini did not answer calls from AAP.
