Tributes flow for BHP rail worker Jody Byrne killed at Port Hedland

With deep links to the Mackay region and the Central Qld mining community, tributes are flowing for grandfather Jody Byrne following his tragic death at a WA rail yard.

Jody Byrne, a 51-year-old father and grandfather, was working nightshift when he was reportedly struck by a locomotive at the Port Hedland rail yard about 9.30pm. Picture: Facebook

Shock and heartache continues to break over Central Queensland following the tragic death of Jody Byrne at a BHP rail yard in WA.

The 51-year-old rail worker was a widely loved and respected man with deep family links in the Mackay region and extensive experience in the Bowen Basin mining community.

Mr Byrne’s brother-in-law Shane King spoke with love about the “larrikin” he first met in 2003.

“Joe was a Queenslander through and through,” he said.

“He was just a rum drinking, rugby league-loving Queensland larrikin.

“His favourite shirt was a Cowboys jersey and his favourite hat is a Maroons State-of-Origin hat.”

Mr Byrne lived in Sarina for nearly 20 years and worked for BMA Rail at its Queensland Coal operations for more than 10 years, starting off as a Level 2 train driver and working his way up to a supervisor position.

General manager for Hay Point Coal Terminal Linda Murry said he was a highly regarded and well respected member of the Hay Point team

“He was particularly passionate about mentoring and training new drivers,” she said.

“Outside of work, Jody’s two loves were his family and fishing and trips to Cape Upstart where he spent any spare opportunity taking time to enjoy doing what he loved.

“He was a friend to many and will be greatly missed by the Hay Point team and wider rail industry.”

Jody Byrne, a 51-year-old father and grandfather, was working nightshift when he was reportedly struck by a locomotive at the Port Hedland rail yard about 9.30pm. Picture: Facebook

Mr Byrne moved to the Pilbara region and lived there with his wife Maxine just months before the February 7 tragedy.

He was working nightshift when he was reportedly struck by a locomotive about 9.30pm.

Early reports suggest he was directing an iron ore train from the ground of the Port Hedland yard when he may have stepped into the path of a second train.

Mr Byrne died at the scene.

Mr Byrne has three daughters and four grandchildren.

Mr King said he was engulfed with disbelief on hearing the news.

“Just a lot of disbelief and then finally shock,” he said.

“I think I’m still in that shocked stage.”

WorkSafe, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator and BHP are all conducting investigations into the horror incident.

Freight wagons filled with iron ore travel along rail tracks in this aerial photograph taken near Port Hedland, Australia, on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Photo: Ian Waldie

A spokesperson for WorkSafe, which investigates breaches of WA’s Work, Health and Safety Act, would not reveal details about how the tragedy occurred, but said a typical investigation would run for several months.

Mining and Energy Union state secretary for the WA district Greg Busson said safety at rail yards could “always be better” but last week’s incident was a rare one.

“Generally in rail, major incidents are few and far between because obviously they are safety critical work, so they are highly regulated,” he said.

“They work under a lot of really strong safe work procedures.”

Mr King said he would remember Mr Byrne’s “selfless” character.

“He was always there to help,” he said.

“It didn’t matter if he was busy, he was never too busy to help you.

“It didn’t matter how busy he was, or what he had to do, he would never ever say, ‘I can’t get there,’ or ‘I can’t help you’.

“That was Joe.”