UPDATE - Brandon Craig, Asset President WA Iron Ore, BHP – 4pm WST / 8pm AEDT, 8 February 2023
 
“We can confirm that our colleague who died at our Port Hedland rail yard on Tuesday night was 51-year-old Jody Byrne.
 
“Jody joined BHP in 2013 and worked in our Queensland coal and WA iron ore teams. He lived in Port Hedland with his wife Maxine. Jody is survived by his wife, three daughters and four grandchildren. Jody was a respected and valued member of our team and the community, and he will be deeply missed. 
 
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jody’s family and friends, and we are providing all the support we can to them during this difficult time. We are also providing support to members of the rail team who have lost a colleague and friend in such tragic circumstances.”

It is with deep sadness that we advise that a member of BHP’s WA team was fatally injured in an incident at our rail yard in Port Hedland last night. 

First and foremost, our thoughts are with the individual’s loved ones and colleagues at this tragic time.

Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) has suspended operations for 24 hours for a safety stop. The site Incident Management Team has been activated, and police have attended the scene. BHP is working closely with the relevant authorities and we will also undertake a full investigation to understand what has happened.

Counselling services are available for the team there, and we are encouraging anyone affected by this incident to contact our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider.