Mine site rocked by horrific tragedy

A “long-serving” and “well-loved” worker has died in an accident reportedly involving a crane at a coal mine west of Mackay in Central Queensland.

On Saturday morning, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) were notified of worker’s death at the Byerwen mine site.

Although the cause of the accident has not been confirmed, initial reports suggested it involved a pick and carry crane.

“Our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends and colleagues today,” RSHQ CEO Rob Djukic said.

“We are committing to a thorough investigation but as that is now underway, we will be limited in what we can say.”

The Byerwen mine site is located at Suttor, about 200km west of Mackay, in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

An RSHQ coal inspector and Serious Incident Investigation Unit investigator are on the scene of the accident.

“RSHQ has placed a heavy focus on the safety around pick and carry cranes, particularly in the past 12 months, through industry talks, safety alerts,” Mr Djukic said.

Emergency services races to the scene just after 7am and the 48-year-old man was found unresponsive before he was later declared dead.

“The death of the long-serving, senior and well-loved member of the QCoal team has shocked the entire organisation, QCoal said in a statement.

“We are focused on the support of the family and the affected staff who are obviously devastated by this tragedy.

“Police are investigating the incident and QCoal will not be commenting further until more details become available.”

Queensland Resources minister Scott Stewart said the incident would be investigated.

“It is too early to know how this has happened but there will be a full investigation by the independent regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland,” Mr Stewart said.

“No death should happen at any workplace and my thoughts are with the man’s family, friends and colleagues today.”