Union demands power company be charged with manslaughter over the death of a young pineapple farm worker who was electrocuted on the job while six colleagues were hurt Cody Smith, 25, died on July 14 after his harvester hit power lines in Queensland Paramedics were unable to revive man while six others were taken to hospital Electrical Trades Union suggested initial reports show Ergon should be charged A stay wire was broken which lowered live conductors below the legal height Mr Smith's vehicle came in contact with the wires and was electrocuted By Tom Sargeant and Sam McPhee For Daily Mail Australia Published: 04:39 BST, 29 July 2021 | Updated: 04:39 BST, 29 July 2021 Viewcomments A power company should be prosecuted for manslaughter over the death of a pineapple worker electrocuted on the job, the union claims. Cody Smith, 25, died on July 14 after the harvester he was working on struck power lines on the farm in Bungundarra, north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. The Electrical Trades Union said initial reports suggested that electrical company Ergon was to blame and should be charged. Cody Smith, 25, died on July 14 after the harvester he was working on struck conductor lines on a property in Bungundarra, north of Rockhampton A stay wire was allegedly broken, lowering live conductors below legal heights to a level where Mr Smith's harvester hit them, killing him and injuring six others. Emergency crews rushed to the farm and found Mr Smith still inside the vehicle. He was unable to be revived. 'The asset was inspected last year, but their inspection process is clearly deficient if assets can fail so badly that they cause fatalities,' union assistant state secretary, Stuart Traill told them Courier Mail. Emergency services arrived at the scene, where Mr Smith was was unable to be revived, and the Electrical Trades Union has suggested that power company, Ergon should be charged with manslaughter 'People are getting injured and dying because of their (Ergon) refusal to maintain and upgrade assets'. Mr Traill called on the Work Health and Safety Department and the Electrical Safety Office to investigate the incident and other faults across the electrical system in Queensland. He said the union had been advocating for better maintenance on the type of conductors that killed Mr Smith for years. Queensland Energy Minister Mick De Brenni said he was confident Ergon was cooperating fully with investigations. 'In regional Queensland, Ergon will invest $100m over and above the expenditure recommended by the Australian Energy Regulator on maintenance and upgrades to ensure the highest possible levels of safety and reliability,' he said. Tributes for the keen fisherman poured in on social media from friends and family for Mr Smith on Thursday after his death, which devastated his home town of Yeppoon. Queensland Energy Minister Mick De Brenni was confident that Ergon was cooperating fully into any investigation, while Union Assistant State Secretary, Stuart Traill said the company had 'blood on their hands' (stock) 'His wings have come way too early,' a family member wrote. 'RIP little brother.' Mr Smith only recently returned to work at the pineapple farm before the accident claimed his life. Friends posted a series of messages on social media remembering their 'great mate'. 'We lost a great mate and a brother to some. RIP legend, you're already missed mate,' one wrote. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility