Funeral service for fallen miner Luke O’Brien to be held on Friday

Loved ones who will gather to celebrate the life of fallen miner Luke O’Brien have been warned ‘suits will be egged’.

Loved ones of Luke O'Brien will farewell the enthusiastic racer who loved life and loved his family on Friday.

Family and friends of fallen coal mine Luke O’Brien will celebrate his life on Friday dressed in colour honouring one of his passions – speedway.

The 27-year-old was fatally crushed between a B Double tanker and a ute at Saraji mine about midday on January 15, 2024.

“This breaks my heart to inform everyone of the funeral service for my son Luke O’Brien,” father Terence O’Brien wrote, adding the attire was “casual speedway wear”.

“If you have colours please wear them … orange, black, blue, white are Luke colours.

“Please be aware if we see suits you will be egged, Luke was not a huge fan of suits.”

Luke O'Brien tragically died in a fatal incident at Saraji mine on January 15, 2024. Picture: Facebook

Investigations indicate the tanker had lost traction and become bogged while exiting a parked location within the fuel-bay area of the Dysart-based BMA mine and as a result a ute was being set up to tow the larger vehicle.

Mr O’Brien, who had worked for one of BMA’s contracting partners BEP Engineering and Maintenance, had been between the two vehicles – when the ute was reversed it pinned the 27 year old between its tray and the fuel tanker’s bull bar.

He was pinned between two vehicles and suffered fatal crush injuries.

He was taken to Dysart hospital but sadly died later that day from his injuries.

BMA has launched an internal investigation into the incident, which is also being investigated by Resources Safety and Health Queensland. Mackay’s forensic crash unit will also investigate and prepare a report for the coroner.

His death sent shockwaves across Mackay and the mining communities. Picture: Facebook

His death has rocked the Mackay community and sent shockwaves throughout the mining industry – it is the 24th mine death in 10 years.

Loved ones have closed ranks around his heartbroken family and fiancee, with many sharing the tag ‘RIP#7’ in honour of his racing number of his modified sedans he took all over Queensland.

Family and friends will celebrated his life on Friday.

Luke has been described as an “absolute legend”, “champion of a bloke” with a “truly magnificent mullet”, and “amazing young man” who made the lives of those who knew him better.

His life will be celebrated this Friday with a moving service at New Life Church before the cortege leaves for Walkerston Cemetery.

Since his death BMA has set up a memorial fund through independent not-for-profit organisation Miners’ Promise and any made by BHP employees or contractors will be matched 2:1 by the global company.

His family have requested donations be made to Miner’s Promise in lieu of flowers.