A mine worker has died and another was left seriously injured following a tragic early-morning vehicle collision at the Peak Downs mine in Central Queensland.
Emergency services were called to the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) open-cut coal mine near Moranbah early July 24 after a utility vehicle was reportedly reversed over by a massive haul truck, ABC News reported.
One contractor died at the scene after becoming trapped inside the vehicle. A second contractor sustained chest and leg injuries and was transported to Moranbah Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
In a secondary response during the incident, a third person on site suffered an unrelated medical episode and was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital.
BMA Asset President Adam Lancey expressed his deep condolences, describing the event as a devastating tragedy that will reverberate across the mining sector.
“With sadness, we confirm that a member of our team who worked for one of our contracting partners was fatally injured this morning at Peak Downs Mine in a vehicle-related incident,” Lancey said.
“We are providing support to the families and loved ones involved.”
Investigators and coal inspectors from Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) have been deployed to the site. Working alongside the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Ambulance Service, officials are establishing the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
RSHQ Chief Executive Officer Claire Cooper confirmed preliminary findings pointed to a collision between two vehicles on site early in the morning, reaffirming that authorities are focusing heavily on emergency support and scene investigation.
Industry leaders highlighted the profound impact on the close-knit mining workforce, emphasising the vital role of support organisations like Miners Promise in assisting families through the aftermath of critical workplace incidents.
Minister for Resources Susan McDonald has called for patience as formal investigations commence, noting that determining the exact cause is essential to understanding the tragedy and ensuring workplace safety standards across Queensland’s resources sector.
“Today, our focus should be on supporting those affected, standing with the mining community, and honouring the worker who has lost his life,” McDonald added.
