By Ian Neubauer
WorkCover NSW announced it will conduct a full investigation into an explosion that resulted in two deaths at the main plant at Drayton’s Family Wines in the Hunter Valley town of Pokolbin yesterday morning.
“WorkCover has staff on site today to commence the investigation with other specialist technical staff joining them from WorkCover’s safety testing facility at Londonderry,” WorkCover acting CEO John Watson said in a statement.
The deceased include industry stalwart Trevor Drayton and an unidentified person who was operating a welding iron at the time of the blast. It has been reported the explosion was triggered when ethanol fumes from the vineyard’s distillery were accidentally ignited by a spark from the welder.
“These reports will be considered in the course of WorkCover’s investigation and a report on our findings will be provided to the Coroner,” Watson said.
The statement expressed condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.