Jody Byrne’s wife Maxine pays tribute to her beloved ‘Joe’ following funeral

In an emotional tribute, the wife of a BHP rail worker who died on the job has opened up about her family’s loss and grief. Read her tribute here.

The Byrne family (from left to right) Thiea, Nicole, Dean, Jody, Maxine, Josephine, Brooklyn, Claire and Alania. Picture: Contributed

The wife of BHP rail worker Jody “Joe” Byrne has opened up about her family’s sense of loss and grief following his tragic death at a rail yard in WA last month.

“You were our rock, our foundation, our safe place,” she said.

“It is hard to imagine a world without you in it.

“Your legacy will live on forever through our beautiful family and our amazing memories together.”

Maxine Byrne laid her husband to rest earlier this month in Townsville and said the family celebrated Mr Byrne’s three loves: “family, fishing and footy”.

“Outside of work, his family was everything, especially his grandbabies – Dean, his best little mate, Brooklyn his princess, Thiea his nugget and Alania his growley bear,” she said.

“We have been surrounded by care and support since his death last month.

The Byrne family (from left to right) Thiea, Nicole, Dean, Jody, Maxine, Josephine, Brooklyn, Claire and Alania. Picture: Contributed

“The love and compassion shown by the communities of Port Hedland, Sarina, Cloncurry and Townsville have helped us through such a difficult part of our lives.

“But we have taken great comfort in knowing the people that worked with Jody loved him just as much as we do.”

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.

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

He was working night shift 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.

Maxine with Jody. Picture: Contributed

Mr Byrne died at the scene.

“I will forever cherish the time we had in Port Hedland together – it was perfect,” Mrs Byrne said.

“Talking on the balcony before bed, hearing his laugh and Facetiming the kids and grandkids – words cannot express how much I will miss him.

“I will always love and miss you my wonderful Joe.”

Mr Byrne had three daughters and four grandchildren.

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

A spokeswoman 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.