Massive haul truck involved in mine worker’s death

Laine Clark |

A haul truck similar to this one has been involved in a mine worker’s death.
A haul truck similar to this one has been involved in a mine worker’s death.

A person is dead after a haul truck ran over a smaller vehicle at a Queensland coal mine, causing the second death at the site in less than three weeks.

Emergency services were called to a “industrial traffic incident” at the Byerwen site at Suttor, west of Mackay, on Thursday about 1pm, when they found a person dead at the scene.

It’s the second fatality at the Byerwen mine in August, following the death of 48-year-old Chris Schloss.

Initial reports suggested the August 3 incident involved a small crane on the back of a vehicle, industry regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland said.

The latest death had traumatised workers, said the Mining and Energy Union, which called for the mine to cease operations immediately and support the workforce.

There was now a “horrible sense of deja vu” among workers, the union statement said.

“Workers have not even had a chance to properly process the fatality of Chris Schloss who they lost less than three weeks ago,” District President Mitch Hughes said.

“When they found out another one of their workmates died at the mine, it was earth shattering.”

Resources Minister Scott Stewart on Thursday told Queensland parliament that the industry regulator would attend the mine site.

“There will be a full investigation into this fatality,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those involved.”

The state’s police and industry regulator are among the agencies involved in investigating the death.

AAP