18.04.2008

Man saved from crushing accident

A 32 year old man was rescued from his aerial lift yesterday at the Stawell Gold Mine, near Melbourne, Australia. The man working on service duties to the roof of the mine almost 1,300 metres underground. The platform was suddenly raised pinning him between the controls/guardrails and the roof.

His colleagues and the mines rescue team had been trained on emergency lowering of the lift and were able to relieve the pressure fairly quickly and save his life.

He was treated by the mines medical staff airlifted to the Alfred Trauma Centre in Melbourne. The man was reported to be in a great deal of pain, suffering from chest and neck injuries and required oxygen and fluid resuscitation, but he was conscious and aware of what was going on. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The cause of the platform raising is being investigated by both Stawell Gold Mines and Worksafe Victoria.

Vertikal Comment

While we do not have every detail, this looks like a classic example of the benefits of those working around the lift being trained on how to bring it down in an emergency.

Over the years there have been a number of similar accidents where panic and ignorance on the ground has allowed a man in the platform to die when he could have been saved if those below had the knowledge.

These accidents are very rare, but it is highly upsetting when someone dies just because those below do not know what to do.