Woman in critical condition after car crash on the Capricorn Highway at Blackwater

Operations have stopped at a Blackwater mine site following a car crash that left a worker trapped in her vehicle for about an hour with critical injuries.

Operations have been suspended at a Central Queensland mine site following a crash in Blackwater that trapped a worker in her vehicle for about an hour with critical injuries.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Blackwater Cooroorah Road at the Capricorn Highway intersection at 5.35am on Thursday.

The collision was between a small car and ute.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said crews worked to remove the side door to free the 20-year-old Blackwater woman from the vehicle.

The scene of a traffic crash on the Capricorn Highway, Blackwater near the Blackwater Cooroorah Road intersection. Picture: QPS

According to Queensland Ambulance Service, the 20-year-old Blackwater woman was transported to Blackwater Hospital in a critical condition with significant upper and lower limb injuries.

She was later flown to Rockhampton Hospital in a critical but stable condition by RACQ CapRescue.

QPS revealed the driver of the ute was a 42-year-old Emerald man who was treated at Blackwater Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Capricorn Highway was closed at the Blackwater Cooroorah Road intersection for some time with vehicles being diverted around the crash scene.

The Forensic Crash Unit attended to investigate the incident.

Coronado Global Resources, which owns Blackwater’s Curragh Mine, revealed the woman was a Golding Contractors Pty Ltd employee.

Golding Contractors, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRW Holdings Limited, is one of the contract service providers for Curragh Mine.

“Coronado and Goldings are working together to ensure support is provided to the employee and family members,” a spokeswoman said.

Rescue 300 was en route to Blackwater. Picture: RACQ CapRescue

She said operations at Curragh had been suspended until a safe return to work plan could be co-ordinated.

“Workers are being progressively briefed on the incident and the company has made counselling services available,” the spokeswoman said.

“Further updates on mine operations will be provided in due course.”

The crash followed a head on collision that also occurred on the Capricorn Highway about 10 hours prior at Alpha.

Emergency services were called to the crash at 7.15pm on Wednesday.

A QFES spokesman said crews had to use cutting gear to remove the roof of the vehicle so they could access an injured man.

The spokesman said the man was freed after about 45 minutes.

A QAS spokeswoman said the man, who was in his 20s, was transported to Alpha Hospital in a stable condition with a laceration above his eye.