Cane loco driver crushed between bins in Carmila workplace incident

A workplace investigation is now under way after a train driver was trapped for 45 minutes at Carmila.

RACQ CQ Rescue was called to an incident at Carmila where a train driver was trapped for 45 minutes during a training exercise. Photo RACQ CQ Rescue

UPDATE: A cane train driver suffered crush injuries to his upper body after he was trapped between two loaded bins during a workplace incident at Carmila.

RACQ CQ Rescue flew the seriously injured man to Mackay Base Hospital. His injuries include lung and rib crush injuries.

The incident occurred towards the end of Palms Rd about 3.35pm Saturday.

The incident occurred about 3.35pm on Saturday. Photo RACQ CQ Rescue

It is understood the man was working on a loaded Plane Creek mill cane locomotive, which was in remote shunting mode when it moved backwards and trapped him.

A Wilmar Sugar spokeswoman has confirmed one of the Plane Creek locomotive drivers was injured in a shunting incident.

“We can confirm the employee was not participating in a training exercise, but are unable to provide further information at this time,” the spokeswoman said.

Queensland Health tasked the rescue chopper which flew direct to the scene, landing on the road near a rail siding with a doctor and critical care paramedic on board.

The man was loaded into the helicopter within 20 minutes and flown to hospital by 5pm. He is in a serious but stable condition.

QAS and QFES were called to the scene.

RACQ CQ Rescue was called to an incident at Carmila where a train driver was trapped for 45 minutes during a training exercise. Photo: RACQ CQ Rescue

EARLIER: A cane train driver is in hospital after he was trapped and injured in a workplace incident.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland will investigate the incident towards the end of Palms Rd at Carmila about 3.35pm.

It is understood the Plane Creek mill cane locomotive in remote shunting mode moved backwards and trapped the man.

Queensland Ambulance and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews responded and the man was reportedly freed by 4.15pm.

He was treated at the scene for possible fractures, and chest and shoulder, before he was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A police spokesman said initial inquiries indicated the man was undertaking a driver training exercise at the time.

Workplace Health and Safety has been advised of the incident and were expected to attend the site.

Remote shunting units is relatively new technology that allows a cane driver to leave a locomotive and carry out shunting by remote control, removing the need for a driver’s assistant.

Two Plane Creek trains were fitted with the technology by early 2020.

Originally published as Cane loco driver crushed between bins in Carmila workplace incident