Peak Downs mine worker dead, another injured as truck rolls over vehicle at mine

ABC News.
July 24 2026



In short:
Mine worker Andreas Lorizou has died and a second was seriously injured when their vehicle was struck by a mining truck at a Central Queensland coal mine this morning.   

Early reports indicate the vehicle was reversed over by the larger truck at Peak Downs mine just before 5am.

What's next?
BMA has closed its five Bowen Basin mine sites for 24 hours and a vigil will be held in Moranbah this evening.


A mine worker was killed and a second seriously injured when their vehicle was struck by a large mining truck at a Central Queensland coal mine early today.

This afternoon mine contractors Thiess named the worker as Andreas Lorizou.

Mr Lorizou was trapped in the light vehicle, with early reports indicating it was reversed over by the larger truck just before 5am.

In a statement approved by Mr Lorizou's family Thiess said it extended its deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones, friends and colleagues.

"Our thoughts are also with the tight-knit Bowen Basin mining community and the mining industry more broadly," it said.

Thiess said an investigation had begun and its immediate focus was supporting those impacted by Mr Lorizou's death.

The injured second mine worker was taken to Moranbah Hospital from the BMA-owned Peak Downs mine in a serious but stable condition with chest and leg injuries.

While emergency services were responding, a third person at the mine site suffered a medical episode and was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.


Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) chief executive Claire Cooper said investigators and coal inspectors were on their way to the mine.

She said RSHQ was working closely with the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Ambulance Service to respond to the incident.

"Our thoughts are with the worker's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time," she said.

A BMA spokesperson said operations had been suspended at the site.

BMA has paused operations for 24 hours at four of its other Bowen Basin operations, including Saraji, Broadmeadow, Caval Ridge, Goonyella Riverside along with Peak Downs, "to support authorities" and give workers a chance to "reflect and refocus on safe ways of working".

The company employs about 9,500 staff and contractors across its Central Queensland operations and Brisbane offices.


Peak Downs mine is an open-cut metallurgical coal mine in Central Queensland.

RSHQ said this was the fourth death on a Queensland mine this year, and the 25th in the past 10 years.   

It is the first fatal incident at Peak Downs mine since 1986.

Queensland Mines minister Dale Last said he was advised of the incident this morning.

"Details are still coming to hand, but my thoughts are with the friends, workmates, family of those involved and the emergency services who attended," he said.

"Everyone deserves to go to work and come home safely."

A Mining and Energy Union spokesperson said the union was also aware of the incident.

"The relevant authorities and the union's industry safety and health representatives are responding to the incident and providing support while investigations continue," they said.

"Our priority is supporting workers while the full circumstances of the incident are still being established."

Queensland Police said the Forensic Crash Unit was also investigating.

Peak Downs is an open-pit coal mine 31 kilometres south-east of Moranbah in Queensland's Bowen Basin.

Opened in 1972, it is owned by BMA, a joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Development.

A vigil will be held this evening at the Moranbah Miners Memorial.