A worker has been killed and another seriously injured after a large mining truck reversed over a light vehicle at BMA's Peak Downs coal mine near Moranbah in central Queensland. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 4.38am on Friday, with one man pronounced dead at the site and a second man hospitalised after being trapped by his lower leg.

What Happened at Peak Downs Mine

The incident occurred when a heavy mining truck reversed over a light vehicle at the Peak Downs operation, which is jointly run by BHP and Mitsubishi Development through their BMA joint venture. Queensland Police confirmed that one man died at the scene.

Queensland Ambulance Service said a second worker was found trapped by his lower leg and had to be freed by rescue crews before being transported to Moranbah Hospital, where he was reported to be in a stable condition.

Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said he had been briefed on the tragedy. "I have been advised that a worker at Peak Downs mine has lost their life and another has been seriously injured," he said. "Details are still coming to hand, but my thoughts are with the friends, workmates, family of those involved, and the emergency services who attended — everyone deserves to go to work and come home safely."

BMA Suspends Operations Across All Sites

In response to the fatal crash, BMA announced it had suspended operations across all of its sites for 24 hours to allow authorities to conduct their work and to give employees time to reflect on safe working practices.

"This is a devastating tragedy which will be felt across BMA, BHP and the entire resources sector. We are providing support to the families and loved ones involved," a BMA spokesperson said. The company confirmed it is working closely with emergency services and Resources Health and Safety Queensland.

Resources Health and Safety Queensland CEO Claire Cooper said investigators and coal inspectors had been deployed to the site and would work alongside police and emergency services. "Our thoughts are with the worker's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time," she said.

A History of Fatalities at Peak Downs

Friday's tragedy is not the first time the Peak Downs mine has been touched by fatal incidents. Two previous deaths have been recorded at the site — one in 1986 and another in 1974. The latest fatality brings the total number of deaths in Queensland's mining industry to 25 since 2016, underscoring ongoing safety concerns across the state's resources sector.

The Peak Downs mine is a significant coal operation in the Bowen Basin, one of the country's most productive mining regions. Investigations into the precise circumstances of Friday's collision are expected to continue in the coming days as authorities piece together how the incident unfolded.

Investigation Underway

Resources Health and Safety Queensland has confirmed its investigators are on the ground at the Peak Downs site. The agency will work in conjunction with Queensland Police to establish the full sequence of events that led to the fatal collision. BMA said it is cooperating fully with all relevant authorities as the investigation proceeds.

No further details about the identity of the deceased worker have been released at this stage, with authorities indicating information was still being gathered in the immediate aftermath of the incident.