Pilbara mine worker dies during staff sports game

A man has died suddenly at a mining camp village near Tom Price after he collapsed during a staff sports game and was unable to be revived.

The 37-year-old man, who was an employee at Rio Tinto’s Brockman 2 mine, was playing basketball with co-workers at the site village yesterday night when he suddenly collapsed, injuring his head when he fell.

A Rio Tinto spokesman confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that one of our employees died last night while playing basketball in the village at Greater Brockman Operations,” he said.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of the deceased, and those touched directly by this tragic incident.”

“Support and counselling is being provided to family, friends and employees.”

Tom Price police Senior Constable Paul Burkinshaw said Rio Tinto medical staff had tried to resuscitate the man for two hours and transfer him via helicopter to hospital, but had not been able to revive him.

He said it was possible the man’s collapse had been due to an unknown health condition.