The injuries to Ben Koina, a 22-year-old from Warialda who was working for a contractor and living in Coonamble at the time of last week’s accident at Mount Magometon quarry, are more extensive than were previously reported. 

Airlifted to Newcastle after getting his arm caught in the mobile crushing plant, he lost his whole right arm in the accident.

Ben’s family contacted the Coonamble Times to update us on his condition and express their great thanks to all the first responders, “as without them we would not have Ben.”

They have launched an gofundme appeal to help with his expenses while recovering.

“This accident was extremely serious and is life changing, as anyone who knows Ben knows how much he loves the outdoors,” says his family on his gofundme page. 

“Whenever he wasn’t working as a mobile plant operator he was always out off-road-ing, fishing, motorbike riding, jet skiing the list goes on - everything he loved is going to be taken away from him for a very long time.”

He will be spending a long time at John Hunter Hospital, where he was airlifted to, healing and undergoing therapies to help assist him to eventually get on with his life.

If you are able to donate to assist with any costs or on-going bills, the family would be most grateful.  

To make a donation visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ben-koina-after-machinery-accident