UPDATE, WEDNESDAY:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
POLICE were expecting the body of Raymond Terrace man Ryan Messenger, killed at Karuah quarry on Tuesday, to be recovered by noon today, Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was killed at Hunter Quarries, owned by high-profile businessman Hilton Grugeon, about 9am on Tuesday, September 9, after the 40-tonne Caterpillar excavator he was operating rolled.
Port Stephens police said Messenger was repairing a washed away road on site of the Andersite Road quarry.
About 8.45am Messenger drove on to soft ground where the excavator, propelled by the weight of the boulder in the front of the machine, tipped on to its side and landed on the edge of an embankment.
As the machine tipped on to its side, the cabin of the excavator, bearing Messenger, was crushed against another boulder on the edge of the quarry road.
Police said the excavator did not roll down the embankment, as previously reported, but came to rest precariously on the edge, which was why reaching Messenger on Tuesday became so difficult.
On site Tuesday were police, police rescue, Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue crews, NSW Ambulance, NSW Mining, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Workcover.
Tuesday afternoon, about 3pm, a crane was called to move the rolled excavator away from the quarry edge, however another was needed.
Police stayed on site overnight and Wednesday morning another crane arrived to move the excavator.
Messenger had married long-time girlfriend Alexandra, 23, in February.
The pair had recently built a house in Raymond Terrace.
Messenger's mother Janelle Russell has released a heartfelt statement, read it here.
PREVIOUS UPDATE:
RYAN Messenger from Raymond Terrace has been named as the man killed in an accident at Karuah yesterday, September 9.
The 25-year-old died after an excavator he was believed to be driving rolled down an embankment at Hunter Quarries.
It is a tragic loss for his family and the local community with Mr Messenger only marrying his wife Alexandra, 23, in February this year.
EARLIER:
A MAN is believed to have died at a Karuah quarry on Tuesday after the excavator he was operating rolled down an embankment.
Tuesday afternoon police still had not confirmed the man, believed to be aged in his late 20s, had died at Hunter Quarries.
However, in a public statement, Hunter Quarries said one of its employees had died in the Tuesday morning incident.
“The Hunter Quarries family is devastated by the death as there is nothing more important than the safety, care and welfare of the Hunter Quarries employees,” a statement from the company said.
Police and emergency services were called to the Andersite Road quarry about 9am.
About noon, a NSW Police Media spokeswoman said the site was not stable enough for emergency services to reach the man, and could not confirm his condition.
“The on site emergency procedure was activated and external emergency services including the NSW police, as well as Department of Resources and Energy and other relevant authorities have been notified and investigations have begun,’’ the Hunter Quarries statement further read.
“Hunter Quarries would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the employees family, friends and co-workers.
“The employee’s family has been notified, and Hunter Quarries is providing full support to the family of the person involved and those affected at the operation.’’
EARLIER:
POLICE have not confirmed a man has died following an excavator rollover at Hunter Quarries in Karuah Tuesday morning.
Reports were made to Port Stephens police and emergency services about 9am that an excavator, driven by a man in his late 20s, had rolled down an embankment of the Andersite Road quarry.
About 12pm, a NSW Police Media spokeswoman said they were unable to confirm the man’s condition as the site was too unstable for emergency services to reach him.
More to come.