Jason Blee, aged 33 years, died on Monday 9 April 2007 (Easter Monday) while employed in an underground coal mine. He died from a pelvic crush injury when he was trapped between a shuttle car and the rib. Jason was the miner driver in a place change bord and pillar section of the mine. The roadway had been recently narrowed to improve strata management. Jason became aware of a fault with the miner and instructed the shuttle car operator to return to the conveyor. As the car moved away from the miner Jason became trapped between the car and the rib. He later died of his injuries.
Recommendations
The Recommendations are contained in the Coronial Inquest report. They are summarised below.
1. That the Department resolve the outstanding issue of notification to next-of kin with Queensland Police Service as a matter of priority.
2.That the Minister for Mines give serious consideration to amendment of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act to provide for tripartite investigations involving the employer/coal mine operator, Department and ISHR, into serious accidents involving grievous bodily harm and all fatal incidents.