CCTV footage has been released showing the moment a glass roof collapsed at Curtin University in Perth in October 2020, killing 23-year-old apprentice carpenter Jonathan Hartshorn. The footage was shown in court this week for the first time, with Hartshorn's mother, Susan Chappell, describing it as "witnessing my son die." The release comes as contractor Elsdon has finally admitted responsibility for the tragedy, nearly six years after it occurred, prompting renewed calls from the family for the toughest possible penalty.

Hartshorn fell 20 metres to his death while installing panels on the roof of Curtin's $110 million School of Design and Built Environment building. His colleague, Rikki Issitt, also fell and survived, but suffered broken arms and legs, a fractured spine and pelvis, and spent nearly four weeks in hospital; he has not worked since. Elsdon admitted to fabricating faulty steel frameworks, skipping mandatory compliance testing and failing to employ qualified welders. The company faces fines of up to $2 million when sentenced on 8 October, though no individuals will face jail, and the case prompted WA to fast-track industrial manslaughter law reforms introducing custodial penalties.