October 13, 2022

Charges laid after a former Blackbutt resident was killed in an incident at a Central Queensland coal mine in 2019 are likely to be heard in mid-2023.

David Routledge, 55 – who was living in South Mackay at the time – died at the Middlemount Coal mine after he became trapped inside a digger when a wall collapsed.

In 2020, charges were laid against site senior executive Darren Cuthbertson, mine manager Darrin Milner and open-cut examiner Neville Whitley alleging workplace health and safety breaches.

Moranbah Coal Pty Ltd was also charged with failing to discharge health and safety obligations.

Mr Whitley died of natural causes last year before any allegations could be tested in court.

Charges against Mr Milner were discontinued this week by the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor when the matters were mentioned in the Mackay Industrial Magistrates Court.