Mine worker, 71, seriously injured after pipe failure and vehicle strike at Crinum mine

Incident Overview

A worker was seriously injured at the Crinum underground coal mine near Emerald, Queensland, on Saturday 12 September 2026. The 71-year-old man was hurt during maintenance involving a pressurised air pipe and a mine vehicle. Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is investigating the incident.

Workplace, Location and Time

Emergency services were called to the Crinum mine at about 10am. The underground mine forms part of the Gregory Crinum Complex, operated by Sojitz Blue about 60 kilometres north-east of Emerald. The worker was accessing pipework from the front bumper of a drift runner, according to the regulator’s initial account reported by ABC News.

Pressurised Pipe Incident

RSHQ’s preliminary account says a pipe assembly failed as the worker tightened a clamp. The release of compressed air raised dust and reduced visibility, and the man fell. The drift runner then moved and struck him while he was on the ground. The reason the vehicle moved had not been established in the information released; the sequence remains under investigation.

Injuries and Immediate Outcome

The worker sustained significant chest, facial, arm and abdominal injuries. He was treated at Emerald and Rockhampton hospitals before being transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. ABC News reported on 15 September that he remained in a critical condition. No later medical update has been confirmed for this report.

Investigation and Safety Response

RSHQ isolated the scene and suspended some operations while it investigated. Its safety alert urged mine operators to isolate and depressurise systems before work, keep workers away from areas where stored energy may be released, establish exclusion zones and provide suitable work platforms rather than using mobile equipment for access. Those are the regulator’s general safety directions, not findings of fault against any person in this incident.

Why We Report Workplace Accidents

Carter Capner Law reports workplace incidents to draw attention to practical safety risks and the support that may be available after a serious injury. Workers and families affected by an accident can seek advice about their circumstances and potential workers’ compensation options. Any entitlement depends on the facts and the applicable scheme.