At 8.45am this morning (3/9/10) a 52 year old Burnie man was struck by a Mack prime mover towing a B-double trailer on the Burnie Wharf.

Police Accident Investigators and Forensic Services, Transport Inspectors and Workplace Standards attended the scene.

It is understood that the man, who is also a truck driver, was standing with a group of other drivers waiting to be loaded when his baseball style cap may have blown off. As he walked forward to collect it, the Mack prime mover also commenced driving forward at a slow speed in order to be loaded.

The male was struck by the prime mover and was dragged approximately 14.5 meters under the vehicle before it was stopped. He was conveyed by ambulance to the North West Regional Hospital where he has life threatening injuries.

The truck driver was a 53 year old man from Ulverstone. He was un-injured in the incident but was shaken by what had occurred.

Traffic on the western end of the wharf was stopped for about 2 hours whilst investigations into the incident were carried out.

Police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident. They are asked to contact the Burnie Police Station on 64345211 or 131444.

Tasmania Police Media and Marketing Services
(03) 6230 2296