Man found dead in coal wagon at Port of Brisbane

Rachel Clun, Jorge Branco

Published: July 12 2017 - 3:37PM

Police believe a man's body spent 11 hours in a coal wagon travelling from an inland mine before it was found at Brisbane's port some 350 kilometres away.

Detectives investigating the discovery at the Port of Brisbane described the death as "unusual to say the least" but it was not being treated as murder.

Detective Inspector Owen Elloy said Queensland Rail workers found the man's body in the doors of a coal wagon about midday on Wednesday, after the train delivered its load of coal from Chinchilla, about four hours north-west of the city.

"At this stage, an investigation is being undertaken and it is being treated as suspicious on the grounds that it is unusual to say the least," the Bayside Crime Group detective said.

Inspector Elloy said the investigation would go to the coroner, but it was clearly a case of misadventure and there was nothing to suggest anything untoward had happened.

"Queensland Rail workplace practices have been absolutely fabulous so far as investigation processes are concerned," he said.

"They have numerous cameras which have left no doubt as to what has transpired."

Inspector Elloy said it appeared the man entered the container in Chinchilla.

He said an alarm alerted Queensland Rail employees to the presence of the body near the Queensland Bulk Handling facility.

Scientific and other officers had been called to the crime scene.

The homicide squad had been briefed, but Inspector Elloy did not believe it would be needed.

"If nothing else, we have to as best we can explain how he got in there," he said.

The train had originated from the Cameby Downs open cut coal mine near Chinchilla, a spokesman for Chinese government-controlled miner Yancoal Australia confirmed.

The Cameby Downs mine produces thermal coal which is shipped to the Queensland Bulk Handling facility at the Port of Brisbane, according to the company's website.

"The matter is currently under investigation and we are working with local authorities," he said, in a statement.

A report would be prepared for the coroner.

This story was found at: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/man-found-dead-in-coal-wagon-at-port-of-brisbane-20170712-gx9nth.html