Final moments before mine collapse explained as safety investigations get underway

A union boss has claimed the two miners who became trapped underground should not have been “doing that task in that mine”.

The tragic final moments before a sudden mine collapse that killed one worker and left another injured in Victoria have been revealed.

Emergency services were called to an operational mining site on Woolshed Gully Drive in Mount Clear about 4.50pm on Wednesday after reports of a rockfall.

Two people were pinned by fallen rocks, while 29 workers took refuge in a safety pod and were later brought to safety.

The body of Bruthen man Kurt Hourigan, 37, has since been recovered after he became trapped 500m underground and 3km from the mine’s entrance.

A second man, a 21-year-old from Ballarat, was flown to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Australian Workers’ Union Victorian state secretary Ronnie Hayden claimed on Thursday the two men had been “air legging” under unsupported ground when the collapse occurred.

Kurt Hourigan, 37, died after becoming pinned under rocks during a collapse. Picture: Facebook

He became men trapped at Ballarat Gold Mine in Mt Pleasant alongside a 21-year-old miner. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Ian Wilson

He said the manual style of mining should only be used to investigate the ground and involved a drill with air and water moving through it.

“They should not have been doing that task in that mine,” he said.

“Say in tunnelling, for example, they’d use (air legging) to put anchors into the rocks to hold the rocks back.

“They were actually using it to create a tunnel to work into to chase the gold.

AWU State Secretary Ronnie Hayden provides a statement about the fatality at the Ballarat Gold Mine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“We are going to be pushing very hard to make sure that the industrial manslaughter laws are used.”

Mr Hayden said the man’s death was “absolutely devastating”, especially because it could have been avoided.

Safety investigations begin

WorkSafe Victoria said on Thursday it would be investigating the incident, which marked the 10th confirmed workplace death this year.

Health and Safety Executive Director Narelle Beer said inspectors had been on-site since last night investigating the “tragic set of circumstances”.

“It will be a complex, detailed investigation. We’ll take some time. We’re very keen to understand how we can ensure that a tragedy like this never occurs again,” she said.

“As part of this investigation we’ll absolutely be looking into what’s occurred in the past and if there’s anything that could have predicted this or prevented this occurring.”

The Mine’s owner Victory Minerals said in a statement that safety on-site was the first priority.

WorkSafe Victoria Health and Safety Executive Director Narelle Beer. Picture: ABC

The incident is currently being investigated by WorkSafe and the mine owners. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Ian Wilson

“This tragic incident is now being independently investigated by WorkSafe Victoria,” the statement read.

“Given this, it’s not appropriate for us to comment further right now, other than to confirm we are co-operating fully with this investigation, and undertaking our own.”

She later added: “If as a result of that, there is a prosecution that will follow, that matter will be prosecuted accordingly.”

Tributes flow for killed miner

Loved ones described Mr Hourigan, who was a father, as someone many “looked up to”.

“I still can’t believe you are gone. I have always looked up to you,” Reece Hourigan wrote on social media.

“Thank you for all the good and bad memories we have shared together. I love you so much, brother.”

Stephanie Coleiro said he would “never, ever be forgotten”.

“Our brother, our best mate, our son Kurt. We are so broken here without you,” she wrote.

“I still don’t feel it’s real … I’m still waiting for you to walk in and say it’s just a dumb joke, I’m hungry.

“You were the best mate I could ask for. All the good and dumb advice. The cuddles when I’m balling my eyes out or just for sitting with me and having a stubby on the couch.

“Our kids loved you so much, as you loved them … my kids will know there uncle Kurt. Love you and miss you so much, mate.”

Steve Hollis wrote: “The best mate anyone could ask for, you could never be replaced and ill miss you every day.”

Originally published as Final moments before mine collapse explained as safety investigations get underway