In a heartbreaking update, Giuliano Pirone, a 33-year-old bodybuilder from Perth, Australia, succumbed to his injuries after being discovered unconscious under a gym shower for 15 hours. WorkSafe WA has launched an investigation into the 24-hour fitness center where the tragedy occurred, raising serious questions about the establishment’s duty of care and safety protocols.
Giuliano Pirone was training at a popular 24-hour gym in Perth on the morning of August 20, 2024, when he began feeling unwell during his workout. According to CCTV footage reviewed by his family, Giuliano appeared visibly distressed while on a treadmill before making his way to a shower cubicle around 7:30 AM.
Shortly after entering the shower, he collapsed, triggering a series of events that would lead to his untimely death. Read the initial report here.
Despite the gym operating around the clock, it took approximately 15 hours for staff to discover Giuliano’s unconscious state. The alarm was raised at around 3 PM when his family expressed concerns, prompting police to track his location using the building supervisor’s mobile phone signal. It wasn’t until 10:30 PM that authorities forcibly entered the shower cubicle, finding Giuliano slumped under the running cold water. Emergency services rushed him to Joondalup Hospital, but he never regained consciousness and passed away two weeks later.
WorkSafe WA, the health and safety regulator for Western Australia’s general industries, mining, and petroleum sectors, has initiated a formal investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for WorkSafe WA stated:
“It’s too early to determine the specific breaches under investigation. We are currently in the information-gathering phase to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.”
Giuliano’s family has been vocal about their grief and confusion over how such a prolonged period could pass without staff noticing his distress. Daniela Pirone, Giuliano’s mother, expressed her anguish, stating:
“He must have just locked himself in, felt hot, turned the cold water on, and then collapsed. It’s unbelievable that no one checked on him for 15 hours.”
Medical experts believe that Giuliano’s blood sugar and blood pressure levels plummeted to dangerous levels, potentially triggering a seizure that led to his collapse. The family has called for an inquest to explore whether the gym’s safety measures were inadequate and if stricter regulations are necessary to prevent similar tragedies in the fitness industry.
In response to the incident, the gym’s owner has extended condolences to Giuliano’s family and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment.
“We are deeply saddened by Giuliano’s passing and are committed to reviewing our safety protocols to ensure such an incident never occurs again,” the owner stated in a public statement released in September.
Daniela Pirone has also advocated for systemic changes within 24-hour gyms, suggesting the implementation of hourly checks for bathroom and shower facilities and a mandatory check-in/check-out system for all members.
“Gyms need to be aware that accidents can happen at any time. There should be measures in place to monitor the well-being of all patrons, especially during late-night hours,” she urged.
The tragic death of Giuliano Pirone has sparked a significant investigation into the operational practices of 24-hour gyms in Perth and beyond. As WorkSafe WA delves into the potential lapses in duty of care, the fitness community awaits answers that could lead to enhanced safety standards and prevent future heartbreaks. Giuliano’s family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice and improved regulations, hoping that their loss will lead to meaningful changes in the industry.
For more details on the initial incident, please refer to FitnessVolt’s original report.
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