Two rural fatalities
Dave Whitefield
CATTLE baron Alexander McDonald has died after a fall from a windmill on his beef property.
The father-of-four had been in Townsville Hospital being treated for head, chest and spinal injuries after he plunged 4m from the windmill on the family property Devoncourt Station, near Cloncurry 18 days ago.
His devastated father Don McDonald today released a statement confirming his son, known as Zanda, 41, had last night succumbed to his injuries.
His death is a huge shock for the nation's cattle industry.
It is a heart wrenching blow for the McDonald family after earlier signs he was recovering from his injuries, understood to include a fractured skull and internal bleeding.
"It is a tragic situation," said his uncle, Bob McDonald.
"Zanda passed away in Townsville Base Hospital overnight," his dad, Don McDonald, said in the statement.
"He is survived by his wife Julie and their four young daughters.
"The family requests privacy at this very difficult time."
The family thanked doctors and staff for their care of Zanda
His wife Julie and their daughters were at the windmill, 6km from the family homestead, when he fell during routine maintenance and they helped co-ordinate the helicopter rescue on March 16.
MDH is one of Australia's largest beef cattle operations and is both family owned and operated.
The family is also a major shareholder in the Super Butcher retail outlets in South East Queensland.
Cattle are bred on stations on Cape York, trucked to properties in Cloncurry, Winton and the Central Highlands and then fattened on grain at the family's feedlot on the Darling Downs in a multi-million dollar operation.
Worker killed by dropping ramp
WORKSAFE WA is investigating the death of a 56-year-old worker at a property at Uduc near Harvey on 27 March
The man was believed to have unloaded several horses from a large transport vehicle when a door/ramp dropped on to him.
WorkSafe inspectors travelled to the site from the Bunbury office and are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Acting WorkSafe Executive Director Ian Munns said any work-related death was a tragedy, and relayed his sincere condolences to the man’s wife and family.
http://www.safetowork.com.au/news/worker-killed-by-dropping-ramp