A preliminary investigation report has been released on the tragic death of a Hunter man who fell down an abandoned mine shaft in Ellalong last month.
59-year-old Craig Hugo was working at Austar Coal Mine, when he tragically fell more than 400 metres down a decommissioned mine shaft to his death in Ellalong.
When the incident occurred, the mine was in a decommissioning phase and was being prepared for closure.
The incident has sent shockwave’s through the community and an investigation is being lead by NSW Resources Regulator into the circumstances surrounding the fatality has revealed this week “fall prevention and/or fall arrest equipment was not used at the time of the incident” the investigation report says.
The regulator found several sections had been cut out of existing steel plates that were fixed to several beams on the shaft cover, with the largest of these cuts about two metres long and 0.5 metres wide. Unfortunately Hugo fell through the area that had been cut and into the shaft.
The report provides a reminder to mine operators, contractors and workers of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety.
A full report will be made public after the investigation has wrapped up.
Image: NSW Resources Regulator Report. Incident scene with red arrows showing areas where the shaft was exposed when the incident occurred.
Mental health and emotional support is available with Lifeline at 13 11 14.