Irish man dies after falling from mining gantry in Australia
An Irish man has died after falling from a mining gantry at a tourist attraction in Australia.
The man, named as 27-year-old Kevin Terence Browne, is reported to have died after he gained access to the Hard Times tourist attraction in the Queensland mining town of Mount Isa.
He is believed to have slipped and fallen to his death from the gantry at a replica mine shaft in the attraction after spending a night out with friends, according to the Irish Echo.
Mr Browne was found at around 11am yesterday morning after he didn't turn up at his home in the town.
A local police officer said they are still investigating how he got into the tourist attraction.
Superintendent Russell Miller said: “The area where he was found, there is a six foot fence around it. But it would appear he was able to get in.
"There’s a mining gantry which is quite high so he would have had to climb a security barriers there as well.
"Maybe he was having a bit of a look around and may have slipped,” said Supt Miller.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and Mr Browne’s partner, who lives in Mount Isa, and his family in Ireland have been contacted.
The Irish Embassy said they are providing consular assistance to the family of an Irish national who had died, and it's reported that a number of his relatives are travelling to Australia.
Mr Browne had been out with friends in the area on Saturday night and police say they would like to speak to anyone who may have seen him after midnight on Saturday.
