PICTURED: Elderly couple who were killed in a freak elevator accident at home after the machine malfunctioned and threw them onto a concrete floor

The elderly couple who were killed in a freak elevator accident at their home after the machine malfunctioned have been named. 

Sebastiano Grasso, 85, and his wife Maria, 78, were thrown onto the concrete floor of their garage at their home in Ayr, south of Townsville, on Wednesday, where they both suffered critical head injuries.

Although a mechanical fault is thought to be the cause of the accident, investigations are continuing as police and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland prepare a report for the coroner.

The grandparents were rushed to Townsville University Hospital after being found by paramedics, but their injuries were too severe and they were unable to be revived.

But new reports have emerged that Ms Grasso may have suffered a separate medical episode which was responsible for her death.

Pictured: Sebastiano Grasso, 85, and his wife Maria, 78, appear to have been thrown to the concrete floor of their garage at their home in a freak elevator accident

'Both victims of this incident were well regarded, and well respected, in our community and this incident has sent a shockwave through the entire Burdekin community,' local MP for Burdekin Dale Last told the Townsville Bulletin.

'While an investigation into the incident will identify the cause, I would ask all people who have a domestic elevator in their home, or in the homes of loved ones, to ensure that this equipment is serviced regularly and checked for safety.

'It is an absolute tragedy that a piece of equipment intended to help make life easier could contribute to the loss of two lives and we must take all steps to ensure this does not happen again.'

Mr Last said the couple were part of a large family and well-known in the community after living in Ayr for many decades.

Home elevators are generally very safe, but require strict maintenance and 'have been linked to other accidents in the past', chief advocate for National Seniors Australia, Ian Henschke said

Chief advocate for National Seniors Australia, Ian Henschke, told the ABC that a growing number of elderly Australias are now living with elevators and mobility devices in their homes.

He said although the devices are generally very safe, they require strict maintenance and have been linked to other accidents in the past.

'This device, which may appear to be something that's useful to get up and down the stairs, has got dangers with it,' he said.

'You have to be very careful with a device like this because some of them have the ability to lift the arm or the thigh, and so then it's possible to fall out of it.

'That has happened in cases in the UK… People need to be very very careful.'

'Both victims of this incident were well regarded, and well respected, in our community and this incident has sent a shockwave through the entire Burdekin community,' local MP for Burdekin Dale Last said