22 Jul 2008

Beaconsfield mine inquest resumes

11:34 am on 22 July 2008

An inquest into the death of Beaconsfield miner Larry Knight will resume in Launceston, Tasmania, on Tuesday, more than two years after a fatal rockfall.

Mr Knight was killed in a rockfall on Anzac Day 2006, which trapped his fellow miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell 900 metres below the surface for 14 days.

The inquest opened last September.

The ABC reports the counsel for Beaconsfield Gold argued at a preliminary hearing two weeks ago there was no need for the inquest because the Melick report had already covered the issues.

But Coroner Rod Chandler has ruled that he is required to conduct an inquest, as Mr Knight died at a workplace.

The inquest, which could take up to three months, will begin with opening statements. About 30 witnesses are expected to give evidence.