‘You’ll never be forgotten’: Tributes for killed Ballarat miner Kurt Hourigan

Relatives and friends have paid tribute to a devoted dad and keen handyman who was tragically killed in a horror collapse at the Ballarat Gold Mine.

Family members and loved ones are reeling from the death of their “best mate” who was tragically killed in a mine collapse in Ballarat.

Kurt Hourigan, 37, was pinned underground following a collapse at the Ballarat Gold Mine overnight Wednesday.

His body was recovered from the mine about 6am on Thursday.

Family members and loved ones described the Bruthen man as someone many “looked up to”.

“I still can’t believe you are gone. I have always looked up to you,” Reece Hourigan shared in a social media post on Thursday.

Tributes are flowing for Kurt Hourigan after he was tragically killed in the Ballarat mine collapse. Picture: Facebook

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

Mr Hourigan’s grandma Patricia Becket said she will “forever be proud” of her grandson.

“Kurt, we are broken hearted that you are no longer with us,” she said.

“You were our second grandchild who we cherished dearly.

“We will always remember you for your funny quirky ways and we will forever be proud of you.”

Ms Becket said he loved playing football for his local club Trentham and competitive running.

“You loved your beautiful little daughter Evie so much,” she said.

Stephanie Coleiro said he will “never ever be forgotten”.

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

“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. Love you and miss you so much mate.”

Mr Hourigan was first and foremost a family man, devoted and unashamedly proud of his kids, frequently posting photos of his time spent with his young daughter.

A keen handyman and craftsman, Mr Hourigan often showed off his projects around the home at his eastern-Victorian rural property.

The entrance to the Ballarat Gold Mine where a cave in has killed a miner. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

It is understood Mr Hourigan had travelled down to the Gippsland region, at Lake Tyers, with his young children only last weekend.

Mr Hourigan also loved his footy, often pulling on the boots for Bruthen in the Omeo District Football Netball League in the state’s High Country.

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the club said he was a “dedicated father” who would be missed by his teammates in the bush.

“In what has been a tragic recent period for our club with the loss of many significant people, on behalf of our club members and supporters we today extend our deepest sympathy to the family of club member and past player, Kurt Hourigan who tragically lost his life in the Ballarat mine incident,” they said.

Mr Hourigan has been remembered as a ‘dedicated father’.

“A dedicated father and friend of many, Kurt always pushed himself to give 110 per cent and will be missed by all. RIP Kurt.”

Loved one Jasmin Randell said she felt a sick feeling in her stomach as she heard the news of the trapped miners.

“I cannot believe this … our family have all felt the devastation of losing our beautiful Kurt,” she said.

“You were a son, a brother, a father, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin and a friend. This is honestly a massive shock to all of us.

“Sitting down to watch the news for the first time in a long time, and as soon as we heard about the miners trapped … we knew it was you.”

Heartbreakingly, Ms Randell said she spoke to Mr Hourigan only days ago, explaining how much of an “amazing” father he was.

“Kurt, we love you so very much. This is a huge tragedy that we are all struggling to deal with and comprehend. I cannot believe I only just spoke to you the other day, telling you how much of an amazing father you are,” she added.

“We know you’ll be waiting at those pearly gates for us all … And I promise to make you a mud pie again. Love you always cousin.”

Mr Hourigan had been trapped 500m underground and about 3km from the mine’s entrance following a rock fall at the site.

A second worker, a 21-year-old man from Ballarat, suffered life-threatening injuries from falling rocks.

He was flown to The Alfred hospital with lower body injuries on Wednesday and remained in critical condition on Thursday.

Another 29 miners involved in the collapse were able to make their way to an underground safety pod.

They were rescued Wednesday evening and none suffered injuries.

Additional reporting from Regan Hodge and Fergus Ellis