The two people killed in an underground mine explosion in Cobar, NSW have been identified, with tributes pouring in from heartbroken loved ones.
Holly Clarke, 24, and Patrick McMullen, 66, died in what authorities described as an “uncontrolled explosion” at the Endeavor Mine in Cobar, about 450km east of Broken Hill before 4am on Tuesday.
A third worker was injured and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
It’s understood the three workers had set explosives on the wall of the mine when they detonated before the team could return to the surface, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Both Clarke and McMullen were well-known locals in the tight-knit Cobar community, with tribute flowing in the wake of the tragedy.
Friends and family have remembered Clarke as a “beautiful soul” who was “taken far too soon.”
“My heart is so broken right now,” one person wrote online.
“I’ll never forget you or our days at Inland, you always brightened up a room when you walked in. I’ll cherish our friendship forever.”
Another tribute described the 24-year-old as someone who “always had a smile on her face” and “would make anyone’s day.”
The Endeavor Mine is a major underground site used for zinc, silver and lead extraction.
Located in the Cobar Basin, it is owned by Polymetals, which acquired the mine in 2023 after it had operated continuously from 1982 to 2020.
Clarke had reportedly worked with Polymetals for several years and was considered a valued member of the community.
Mining and Energy Union district president Bob Timbs described the incident as a “catastrophic failure” of the mine’s explosion system.
“In this day and age, that type of accident just should not have happened,” he said.
“We will do everything in our power – once we’ve dealt with and supported the families and mine workers in the community – to find out what happened and make sure that it never happens again.”
He said about 250 staff work at the Endeavor Mine, which operates around the clock, seven days a week.
He also raised concerns about safety standards in the industry, calling for stronger protections in non-coal mining operations.
“We’ve got very robust legislation covering safety in coal mines and we’d like to see that be expanded to cover metalliferous mines,” he said.
“This just sends a clear signal to everyone out there – be careful when you’re at work. And if you have concerns about safety, for God’s sake, report it so you can go home safe to your families.”
Images: news.com.au
