NSW: Miner burnt in accident dies

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2000
NSW: Miner burnt in accident dies

SYDNEY, Feb 17 AAP - A welder who suffered horrific burns in an accident at a mine
in the New South Wales Hunter Valley died yesterday.

NSW Mineral Resources Minister Eddie Obeid has launched an immediate investigation
into the accident at the Commercial Minerals bentonite clay mine at Cressfield, near Scone.

Peter Davenport suffered burns to 94 per cent of his body after he was engulfed by
a fireball while welding a fuel tank at the Upper Hunter mine on Tuesday.

He was airlifted to Sydney's Concord Hospital, where he died yesterday.

Mr Obeid expressed his condolences to the family and work colleagues of Mr Davenport.

"My sympathy and thoughts are with Mr Davenport's family at this sad time," he said
in a statement.

"The Area Mines Inspector and a mechanical inspector, together with officers from the
Special Investigations Unit, are investigating the matter."

AAP km/tsm/ej

KEYWORD: BURNS (CARRIED EARLIER)

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