BMA charged over Allan Houston’s death at Saraji Dysart mine
A Queensland mining giant is accused of failing to put in measures to prevent the death of a father who tragically drowned in mud while trapped inside a dozer. Read the latest from court.
Police & Courts
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The case against BMA Coal Operations over the death of a dozer operator, who drowned in a pool of mud at a Bowen Basin mine, has been adjourned.
Gracemere father Allan Houston died on New Year’s Eve, 2018, when his bulldozer rolled 18 metres off an embankment at the Saraji open pit coal mine near Dysart.
The mine is located about two-and-a-half hours’ drive southwest of Mackay.
The bulldozer came to rest upside down in a pool of mud and water, the 49-year-old found inside the cabin with his seatbelt fastened.
Mr Houston, also known as ‘Big Al’, tragically did not survive.
BMA Coal Operations was charged with two counts of failing to discharge health and safety obligations causing death or grievous bodily harm.
It is alleged no control measures were in place to minimise the serious risks and as a result Mr Houston died.
Matters against BMA were briefly mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court before Magistrate James Morton on Tuesday.
No pleas have been entered.
Mr Morton adjourned the matters until November 22.
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