Miner who plunged 400 metres down a shaft to his death is remembered as a ‘true gentleman’

A veteran miner who died in a tragic accident at work is being remembered by his heartbroken family and friends as a ‘true gentleman’.

Craig Hugo, 59, fell 400 metres to his death on Tuesday while carrying out renovation work at the top of a disused mine shaft in Ellalong, in the Hunter region of New South Wales.

Rescue workers launched a large-scale operation on Wednesday and were able to recover his body from the old Austar coal mine, owned by Yancoal.

The shaft is believed to have once been a lift passage, but it has been out of use since 2021. Work is still underway to close off the site.

Specialists from NSW Police, NSW Mines Rescue and NSW Ambulance were involved in the difficult recovery, which required the use of a crane to remove Mr Hugo’s body.

The crane was less than a meter higher than the depth of the mine.

At the bottom of the well was a 50-meter deep pool of water. Rescuers had this done with oxygen tanks to save Mr. Hugo.

His friends and family are calling the accident a “complete tragedy.”

Rescue workers launched a massive rescue operation and recovered his body on Wednesday from the old Austar coal mine, owned by Yancoal.

Mr Hugo’s son Cooper shared a tribute to his father on social media, describing how his family lives were ‘changed forever’.

“We have lost our father, our best friend and the man we looked up to the most. Words cannot describe the pain and sorrow we feel right now,” he wrote.

“Dad, we love you always and forever.”

Mr Hugo’s colleagues responded to Cooper’s tribute by saying that “we all feel the loss”.

“Your loss is felt by so many of us who had a profound impact on your father’s life as a buddy, colleague and just a great guy,” one colleague wrote.

‘[I’m] If you don’t say this, it will be easier for your family.’

Another member of Mr. Hugo’s family told the Daily Telegraph that he was ‘unique’.

“The world will be a lot less sunny without him. It is hard to comprehend such a tragedy,” they said.

Mr Hugo’s son Cooper said in a tribute on social media: ‘Words cannot describe the pain and sadness we are feeling right now’

Mr Hugo, originally from Cessnock, worked at Yancoal for 19 years and CEO David Moult expressed his ‘sincere condolences’ to everyone affected by his passing.

“I know Craig’s loss will be deeply felt by many Yancoal employees and we are continuing to offer support to our employees during this time,” he said.

‘Our highest priority is always the health, safety and well-being of our employees and construction workers.

‘Yancoal would like to thank the emergency services, mine rescue organizations, regulatory agencies, personnel and contractors who assisted in the recovery efforts.’