Rachel Blee said her husband loved life and described him as a loving family man.

“It is just going to hit us so hard to know that he is gone,” she said.

Blee had worked for mining contractor Walter Mining for about two years.

He leaves behind four children, girls aged eight, seven and two and a boy aged one.

Walter Mining said yesterday that its staff are deeply distressed by the tragedy, and send their condolences to Blee’s family and friends.

The contractor said it is working with Anglo Coal and police, mines inspectors and union inspectors onsite to ascertain the facts behind the incident.

Anglo Coal Australia acting head of external business Susan Johnston said counselling has been offered to Anglo Coal and Walter Mining employees.

“Our focus now must be on understanding why this tragedy occurred,” she said.