Three men injured while working at an underground gold mine site in the state’s Goldfields have been taken to Royal Perth Hospital for further treatment.
The men were flown to Perth by Royal Flying Doctor Service and then taken by St John Ambulance to hospital as trauma patients suffering from chest injuries, bone fractures and a suspected spinal injury.
The two miners and a contractor were injured when a sheet of construction material fell on them at the Agnew gold mine, located about 23 kilometres west of the Leinster townsite.
Two RFDS planes were sent, one from Kalgoorlie and one from Perth, to bring the men to Perth for further X-rays and treatment.
The men, aged in their late 20s and 30s, were assessed by an RFDS doctor and found to be in a serious but stable condition, with non-life threatening injuries, according to RFDS spokeswoman Joanne Hill.
One of the men has possible spinal injuries as well as broken limbs, she said.
The 31-year-old man suffering chest injuries was the first to land at Jandakot, followed shortly by a 26-year-old man with the possible spinal injury and a fractured arm, Channel Ten reported.
A 38-year-old man suffering from a fractured leg accompanied the 26-year-old man and all three men were conscious throughout the flight, according to RFDS doctor Sally Edwards.
It is understood the men were constructing an explosive storage area when a piece of concrete reinforcing mesh fell on them. The mesh was not part of the underground mine, which is owned by South African gold producer Gold Fields.
Gold Fields said it alerted authorities to the incident this morning.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has confirmed it is investigating the incident.
“Mine safety inspectors from the department are now making inquiries into the incident, which will be subject to a formal and thorough investigation,” a spokeswoman said.
“The department will take any necessary appropriate action upon collection of all evidence.”