Dylan Langridge, Trevor Davis remembered after tragic mine death

A small Queensland community is in shock after two respected workers lost their lives in a mining accident this week.

Tragedy has struck a small mining community in Queensland after two Barminco employees lost their lives in a mining accident this week.

Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis, respected workers and family men were killed when their ute fell about 15m down a void within a previously backfilled stope at the Dugald River underground mine near Cloncurry in northwest Queensland.

The news of the incident sent shockwaves through the community, leaving families, friends, and colleagues grieving.

MMG Dugald River mine, near Cloncurry, where two miners were found dead after an extensive search. Picture: Liam Kidston

The mother of Dylan Langridge’s children, Kelly Mcburnie, shared a heartbreaking plea on social media in the hours before the pair were confirmed dead.

“We know you’re down there fighting,” she wrote.

“Keep fighting, they’re close to finding you. You need to come home to your kids, to your family. Your kids are waiting to tell you how much they love you.”

It is understood that Mr Langridge was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, camping, and off-road adventures with family when he was off-site.

Dylan Langridge. Picture: Facebook

Mr Langridge, 33, joined Barminco in March 2020 as a truck operator at Savannah, a mine in the Kimberly Region of WA.

He joined a service crew at Dugald River later that year, where he was promoted to charge-up operator in October 2021.

The Courier Mail reports the tragic loss of Trevor Davis has also left a hole in the hearts of his friends, family, and colleagues.

A close workmate of Mr Davis described him as a “likeable bloke” and a hardworking and dedicated employee.

Mr Davis, 36, joined Barminco in August 2020 as a shotcrete operator at Rosemont and transferred to Dugald River as a charge-up operator in November 2021.

Trevor Davis. Picture: Facebook

The incident has hit close to home for many people in the local Western Queensland community, as many have friends and family members who work at one of the mines in the shire.

Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell said that the incident had highlighted the dangers of underground mining, despite the many levels of safety that are in place.

“Even if local people didn’t know these two miners personally, everyone knows somebody that works at one of the mines in the shire – it’s definitely hit close to home,” he said.

“Even with a number of levels of safety, especially with underground mining, it is still relatively dangerous.

Cloncurry is feeling the loss of the miners. Picture: Liam Kidston

“(We express) our deepest condolences to the families of Dylan and Trevor”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this tragic time. The flags at the community precinct will fly at half mast in respect of Dylan and Trevor.”

The CEO of Perenti, Mark Norwell, expressed his deep sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work that day.

“This tragic incident is devastating and will have a lasting impact on not only the families and friends of Trevor and Dylan but also on the workforce of Dugald River, the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities, and the entire Perenti workforce,” he said.

The Dugald River mine in northwest of Queensland. Picture: Supplied

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane shared his support for the men’s network and those involved in the pair’s recovery.

“A tragedy like this affects a wide circle of people, but at the heart of it are two families who are dealing with a tremendous loss. Our hearts go out to them,” he said.

Mr Norwell said Perenti will work closely with MMG and the relevant authorities in Queensland to understand the circumstances behind this tragic incident and to put in place additional measures to prevent this type of incident from happening again.