Inpex workers donate a day’s pay to Carl Delaney’s family after fatal accident

INPEX workers will donate their Thursday pay to family of Carl Delaney who tragically lost his life in an accident at the site

Inpex workers are donating their pay to help the family of Carl Delaney.

INPEX workers will donate their Thursday pay to family of Carl Delaney who tragically lost his life in an accident at the site.

Mr Delaney was killed on Wednesday night when he fell into an insulation dust-like substance and disappeared below the surface.

Carl Delaney with wife Terry – who died in an accident at the Bladin Point site on Thursday.

He was pulled from the dust and treated by the on-site Inpex medical team while St John Ambulance was called.

However, by the time they arrived, Mr Delaney had died.

One worker said it was a unanimous decision from his team to donate their wages from Thursday to the family.

“As he was the head and most likely the main breadwinner for his household, his family will not only suffer the emotional stresses of their loss, but the financial crisis this incident will bring,” the worker said. “In solidarity we understand that to deal with a days lost pay means nothing to us if we can help those loved ones through this tragic time in their lives.

“We are one big family, spending more time with each other than with our families at home and we need to look out for each other all the time because the big companies we work for won’t.”

Mr Delaney has been described as a passionate family man by his wife of more than 30 years, Terry Delaney, who said there were hundreds of people who called him a friend.

“He was a very passionate person who loved and enjoyed life to the full,” she told the NT News.

“Aside from his family, his biggest passion was Manchester United and he’d talk to absolutely anyone about football or anything else for that matter.” Friends from around the globe have taken to social media to lament his death.

How we reported an accident at the Bladin Point site

“First met you in 1967 and never had a cross word with you,” Glenn Roberts posted.

“I will miss you terribly. We had some great fun times that I will cherish forever. We can talk all about it when I see you again. Didn’t know you as long or as well as most but what a cracking bloke you were. Good night, god bless mate,” Craig Stapley wrote.

“Absolutely devastated, so-so sad,” Dennis McLennon said. “So glad to have known you, worked with you, shared a room with and had such good laughs. Such a waste — what a top guy. Glad you came back and said hi to the lads earlier on in year.”

Louise Whitten, the chief executive of Whittens, who Mr Delaney worked for, said the company grieved his death. “We are heartbroken by the loss of Carl who was a highly respected member of our team and a good friend to many,” she said.

On Thursday night, one of Mr Delaney’s sons, Dominic, posted a short tribute to his father. “Love you Dad, will miss you more than words can ever describe,” he said.

Notably absent from any social media posts have been other Inpex workers.

The partner of one worker said they were told that talking about the death on social media would be a sackable offence, however Inpex have said this was not the case.

Construction on the $50 billion Inpex site was suspended on Thursday but workers returned to work on Friday.

In a statement, Inpex said all workers who took Thursday off out of respect for Mr Delaney would be compensated.

“Work was suspended (on Thursday) out of respect for the worker and his colleagues, and to allow on-site investigations to be conducted,” the statement said.

“Work was suspended (on Thursday) out of respect for the worker and his colleagues, and to allow on-site investigations to be conducted.”