Second death in two years at Lisheen Mine

A lead and zinc mine due to close by 2015 has been hit by tragedy for the second time in two years following the death of a worker in an undergroundaccident.

It is understood the victim, named locally as Mario Francis, originally from the Philippines but living in Urlingford, was driving a mine vehicle at Lisheen Mine near Thurles in Co Tipperary when a rockfall trapped him in the vehicle. He sustained fatal crush injuries at about 4.45pm on Thursday.

Mine rescue services and the emergency services were called after Mr Francis, 49, was found trapped in the loading vehicle. While paramedics made efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A recovery operation to move his body was ongoing last night.

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have launched investigations into the fatal incident and have had personnel on the scene, which is close to the village of Moyne. The company has launched its own inquiry.

The mine will remain closed until further notice, although workers and members of Mr Francis’s family were invited to a memorial service on-site yesterday evening.

In a statement, management at Lisheen Mine said the man was fatally injured in “a tragic accident”. They said it was “a localised incident” with no other person involved.