Rockhampton workplace accident: Tributes for Yeppoon rural firefighter killed

An earthmoving business owner who died after a machinery accident at a Rockhampton construction site has been identified as a respected rural firefighter. READ OUR TRIBUTES

A Yeppoon man has died in hospital hours after he suffered critical head injuries in a workplace accident at a earthworks site in North Rockhampton. Photo: 7 News

The rural fire service community is reeling from the tragic loss of one of their own after a local stalwart died from critical injuries he suffered in a workplace accident in Rockhampton on Tuesday.

Ray Murphy is being remembered as a genuine Aussie bloke who was always there to lend a helping hand.

Bungundarra Rural Fire Brigade first officer Anthony Sylvester said it was an honour to share a fireground with Ray and it was a privilege to know him.

The 68-year-old was one of the founding members of the Bondoola Rural Fire Brigade, a rural suburb of Yeppoon, in the 1970s.

FILE PHOTO: Bondoola Rural Fire Brigade chairman George Seifert, treasurer Alf Young and fire warden Ray Murphy. Picture: Allan Reinikka

Mr Sylvester said the “genuine Aussie bloke” would “be sorely missed – from fire ground to social circles”.

“It’s just devastating for the family,” he said.

“He was a genuine bloke you can ring for advice.”

Mr Murphy had been a fierce and strong advocate for government funding and had appeared in The Morning Bulletin many times over years for his countless hours of volunteering with the rural fireys and advocacy.

Bill Ludwig, Bondoola fire warden Ray Murphy and Cawarral first officer and fire warden and Chair of the Bushfire Support Group John McDonald.

Mr Murphy’s family-run earthmoving business, Pistol Gap Quarry, has been running for more than 30 years.

Emergency services were called to the site of the accident, the Knight Pro Trade Centre in Rockhampton, about 11.30am on March 12.

Mr Murphy was treated by paramedics for critical injuries and rushed to Rockhampton Hospital, but tragically passed away just hours later.

Bondoola Rural Fire Brigade warden Ray Murphy.

Long-time Livingstone and former Rockhampton councillor Glenda Mather shared the same sentiments and said it is a terrible and tragic loss.

“He was well respected, his quality of work, his contribution to the community and always being available to help someone out,” she said.

She shared she had only just seen him last week at the fire shed for the handover for some new firefighting equipment.

It’s a happy memory she will now cherish.

Glenda Mather: ‘He was just loved as a person.’

“He was happy, he was amongst his own people in his brigade and he was receiving new equipment and that made him happy because he knew what he could do with that,” she said.

“He was just loved as a person.

“No doubt everybody is feeling it in the community.”

Local volunteer rural fire fighters Brad Kingston, Dennis Shillington, Clint Swadling and Kevin Coughran.

Livingstone councillor and Kunwarara Rural Fire Bridge first officer Clint Swadling said words could not describe the emotions at the moment.

“He was a true inspiration and dedicated volunteer with the community at number one in his heart,” he said.

“He will be so sadly missed not only in the community but within the rural fire service community.

“We are saddened by the tragic news

“The family need to know the community is behind them.”

Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Andy Ireland publicly shared his condolences to the family.

“Ray Murphy made a significant contribution to the Livingstone shire both through his business as well as through his service as a member of the rural fire service,” Mr Ireland said.

Livingstone Shire mayor Andy Ireland: Ray Murphy made a significant contribution

Construction has been underway for months to develop the site into Knight Pro Trade Centre, to be a new industrial area with sheds.

It is based on a former railyards site 8.19ha in size, next to the Transport and Main Roads office, sold in 2020 for $3.575m.

It is understood the heavy machinery was being used to level the ground.

A spokesman from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said inspectors were “immediately deployed to the incident after being notified” and an investigation was underway.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is investigating an incident involving a worker at a construction site in Rockhampton today (Tuesday),” the spokesman said.

“WHSQ inspectors were immediately deployed to the incident after being notified around lunchtime.”

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Originally published as Rockhampton workplace accident: Tributes for Yeppoon rural firefighter killed