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2021 Curragh

A 54-year-old mine worker has been killed in an accident at an open-cut coal mine in central Queensland, police have confirmed.

A Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) spokesperson said the worker killed on Sunday was fatally injured while on duty.

"The incident occurred at approximately 12:43am," the spokesperson said.

The worker was a dragline operator undertaking cable relocation work on the ground within the operational swing boundaries of the rotating dragline. Preliminary investigations suggest that the worker undertook work using the cable tractor whilst the dragline was stationary, but that the worker either re-entered or remained in the operational swing boundary when the dragline became operational.  The worker was struck by the dragline propel shoe, resulting in him sustaining fatal injuries.

"RSHQ inspectors are at site commencing inquiries into the nature and cause of the incident.