Tributes flow for father killed in mine tragedy

Coal miner and father-of-five Chris Schloss has been remembered as a beloved family man and respected team member following his tragic death at a mine site in Central Queensland on Saturday.

Emergency services attended QCoal’s Byerwen mine, about 1000km north of Brisbane in the coal-rich Bowen Basin, early Saturday morning on reports Mr Schloss had been struck by a crane.

The 48-year-old died at the scene.

In a statement from Monday, QCoal executive James Black said the “QCoal family” had suffered a “devastating loss”.

“Chris has been part of the QCoal family for many years and has been integral in developing Byerwen since its launch,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with Chris’ wife Amanda, his children and all their family at this terrible time.

“The death of such a long-serving, senior and well-loved member of the QCoal team has obviously left us shocked. His family is coming to terms with the worst news you can possibly hear, and we are helping them through this tragedy.

“We are also providing support for those staff on site and across the organisation as we come to terms with this incredible loss.

“QCoal is working with government investigators and the police on the incident, but our focus is on Chris’ family and his many friends at QCoal and across our sites.”

Mr Schloss is survived by his five children: Magan, Thomas, Kate, Memphys and Zara.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland is investigating the fatality.

“Although it is too early to identify a cause of the incident, initial reports indicate it involved a pick and carry crane,” the safety body said on Saturday.

“An RSHQ coal inspector and an investigator from our Serious Incident Investigation Unit are attending the scene.

“Our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends and colleagues today.

“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 and an animation to increase education and understanding.”

Mr Schloss formed a part of QCoal’s Tell Them Where To Go campaign against the Queensland government, which is pushing the company to relocate its workforce from the on-site camp to the town of Glenden, about 45 minutes away.

The company says the move threatens the jobs of up to 800 Central Queensland mine workers.

“Chris was an active member of our current campaign around preserving the Byerwen camp and his family have asked that his image and words not be removed as he felt strongly about the issue and they want to honour his legacy,” Mr Black said.