A mine worker was killed and a second seriously injured when their vehicle was struck by a giant mining truck at a Central Queensland coal mine early today.
One man has been taken to Moranbah Hospital from the BMA-owned Peak Downs mine in a serious but stable condition with chest and leg injuries.
The second man was trapped in the vehicle and died at the scene.
Early reports indicate the vehicle was reversed over by the larger truck just before 5am.
While emergency services were responding, a third person at the mine site suffered a medical episode and was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) chief executive Claire Cooper said investigators and coal inspectors were on their way to the mine.
She said RSHQ was working closely with the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Ambulance Service to respond to the incident.
“Our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” she said.
A BMA spokesperson said operations had been suspended at the site.
Queensland Mines minister Dale Last said he was advised of the incident this morning.
“Details are still coming to hand, but my thoughts are with the friends, workmates, family of those involved and the emergency services who attended,” he said.
“Everyone deserves to go to work and come home safely.”
A Mining and Energy Union spokesperson said the union was also aware of the incident.
“The relevant authorities and the union’s industry safety and health representatives are responding to the incident and providing support while investigations continue,” they said.
“Our priority is supporting workers while the full circumstances of the incident are still being established.”
Queensland Police said the Forensic Crash Unit was also investigating.
Peak Downs is an open-pit coal mine 31 kilometres south-east of Moranbah in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
Opened in 1972, it is owned by BMA, a joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Development.