Central Highlands Regional Council employee dies at Arcadia Valley

A 36-year-old man died in an industrial accident near Emerald in Central Qld. The Australian Workers Union has its say here.

A council employee has died in an incident at Arcadia Valley on Monday afternoon.

The Australian Workers Union Queensland says it is “deeply saddened” by the death of a Central Highlands Council worker on the job on Monday.

AWU Queensland secretary Stacey Schinner said the man who lost his life in this tragic event was a long-term AWU member and the union had been in contact with his family, expressing its sympathy.

“We have reached out to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and to the council for information, and to provide the assistance of our union with the investigation,” Ms Schinnerl said.

“An AWU official will be travelling to site to ensure proper support is provided to his workmates and to review the safety system in place.

“Everyone deserves to come home safe and for a young man to lose his life during a normal day at work is sad beyond words.”

The Queensland Police Service will prepare a report for the coroner following the “sudden and non-suspicious death” of the local man in an industrial incident on Monday afternoon.

It happened near Mulcahys Road in the Central Highlands about 1.45pm following an incident with a semi-trailer.

A QPS spokesman said the Forensic Crash Unit would investigate and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland had been advised.

It is understood the man was killed in the incident which involved heavy machinery at Arcadia Valley, south of Emerald.

Central Highlands Regional Council released a statement late Monday confirming the tragedy.

“An incident has occurred that has resulted in the death of a council employee in Arcadia Valley this afternoon,” a council spokesman said.

“Council extends our deepest condolences to the family.

“At this early stage, council cannot make any further comment in relation to this incident.

“Our employee’s next of kin has been notified by Queensland Police.”

A Queensland Police spokesman said police would work with WHSQ to prepare a report for the coroner.

A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokesman confirmed an investigation was under way.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is aware of an incident that occurred on Mulcahys Road in Arcadia Valley, (20 March 2023), in which a worker sustained serious injuries as they unloaded machinery,” the spokesman said.

“WHSQ is investigating the incident and is unable to provide further information at this time.”