A fatal mining truck accident in central Queensland has left one man dead and another injured after a light vehicle was reportedly crushed near a Bowen Basin coal operation.
Paramedics and other emergency crews were sent to Moranbah, about 195 kilometres southwest of Mackay, shortly after 4.30am on Friday after receiving reports that a large truck had reversed over a smaller vehicle.
One man could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man, who suffered chest pain and leg injuries, was taken urgently to Moranbah Hospital, with emergency services initially describing his condition as critical.
Authorities said a third person, who was not directly involved in the crash, experienced a separate medical episode while crews were at the scene and was airlifted to Mackay Hospital for treatment.
Queensland Police confirmed to the Daily Mail that the forensic crash unit would assist with the investigation into the deadly mine site incident.
A police spokesperson said officers were called just after 5am to support emergency services following reports of a crash at a mine site off the Peak Downs Highway.
According to early police information, one man died at the scene, while another was transported to hospital with injuries later described by police as non-life-threatening.
Emergency crews responded to the Moranbah crash in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, about 195 kilometres southwest of Mackay, shortly after 4.30am on Friday.
Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) chief executive Claire Cooper said the lead agency has now deployed investigators and coal inspectors to the site.
‘Preliminary information indicates two vehicles collided at the site early this morning,’ Cooper said.
‘Our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.’
The open-pit site, located 31 kilometres south-east of Moranbah, is one of five metallurgical coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
It opened in 1972 and is owned by BMA, a joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Development, which suspended operations across all of its central Queensland mines for 24 hours in the wake of the tragedy.
The crash ceased work on five sites in total – Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Saraji and Caval Ridge along with Peak Downs.
‘With deep 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,’ BHP Mitsubishi Alliance said in a statement.
‘A second team member was injured.’
One man was declared dead at the scene and another suffered chest pain and leg injuries
The fatal collision would be felt across the entire resources sector, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance said.
‘We are providing support to the families and loved ones involved,’ the statement said.
‘BMA has ceased operations across all our sites for 24 hours to support authorities and enable our people to reflect and refocus on safe ways of working.
‘We are working closely with emergency services and Resources Health and Safety Queensland.’
The tragedy hit hard for Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie.
‘My daughter goes fly in, fly out once a fortnight to work underground in a gold mine,’ he said on Friday.
‘It’s one of the most risky jobs to have and it’s just tragic when you hear circumstances like that – it’s just unimaginable.
‘Our thoughts and condolences are obviously with the family involved. I want to thank the first responders, all the mining workers you can’t imagine to begin what they’re going through.’
Mining and Energy Union said its representatives had responded to the incident and were providing support.
‘Our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends, workmates and the broader mine community at this incredibly difficult time,’ it said in a statement.
The Queensland Resources Sector also expressed its condolences, saying it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident.
