A man’s body has been found in water at the base of a mine shaft in the Hunter Valley after he fell while working, New South Wales police say.
An operation to recover the body of the 59-year-old man started on Tuesday after emergency services were called to Dry Creek Road in Ellalong at about 12.45pm.
The man had fallen into a decommissioned mine shaft while working, police officers were told at the scene. The incident occurred at Austar coalmine, a NSW Resources spokesperson said.
His body was recovered almost 24 hours later on Wednesday following an operation involving the police rescue unit, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW and other agencies.
The NSW Resources Regulator is investigating the worker’s death. The regulator’s mine safety and major safety investigation units were working with other agencies, a spokesperson said.
A report will be prepared for the state coroner.
