WORKERS at a Gunnedah company are rallying together after the shock loss of one of their workers on the weekend.
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The 28-year-old from the Solomon Islands had been working at Gunnedah Leather Processors since December but was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning in a car crash.
The man was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Mirage that lost control and rolled on Quia Road about 12.30am, just out of Gunnedah.
A second worker, 23, also from the Solomon Islands, was undergoing surgery in Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital on Monday after he suffered serious injuries in the crash. Another passenger was taken to Tamworth hospital in a stable condition but has since been released.
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The Leader understands the trio were not working at the time, and it was not work related, with police still probing the cause of the crash.
Gunnedah Leather Processors general manager Wellington Sardinha told the Leader it had been a "very sad day".
"This is a very tragic accident and the sudden loss of one of our workers, so we're all grieving for them and their families," he said.
"While they had only been here since December, they had managed to create a strong bond with the workers.
"We have been supporting the workers and helping them with the grieving process."
Mr Sardinha said the wider community were also rallying to support the staff, grappling with the shock loss.
On Monday, the staff held a minute's silence for the fallen worker and a prayer session at the plant on the Quia Road.
The Solomon Islands government is providing consular assistance to the workers, along with the labour hire company, who directly employs the men.
"We're doing everything that we can to help them," Mr Sardinha said.
Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy said all factors including speed and fatigue were being looked at, as part of the police probe.
"Investigations are continuing and police are examining all possible factors that may have contributed to the crash," he said.
"Those investigations will form the brief of evidence that will be given to the coroner to determine what happened."
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
