Father and son injured in coalmine

Two workers were seriously injured after they were hit by falling coal in a mine.

The incident occurred on 4 July 2018, involving a father and son working in an underground coalmine.

The falling coal rib struck the two workers in the underground workings of the mine when the strata failed. The NSW Resources Regulator has commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

The continuous miner driver, the father, aged 55, suffered two fractures to his left femur (upper leg). He also suffered abrasions and soft tissue injuries to his right ankle and right arm. The cable hand, the son, aged 26, was struck by the falling coal and sustained abrasion and soft tissue injuries to his upper back and a suspected neck injury.

The injured workers were transported by helicopter to Westmead and Liverpool hospitals.

Image caption: Failure of right rib in underground heading. Credit: Resources Regulator investigators.