Service Station Worker Dies After Being Dragged Under a Ute in Coffs Harbour
By Chloe · Published 26 Oct 2026 · Updated 26 Oct 2026
Coffs Harbour, NSW · New South Wales News
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Service Station Worker Dies After Being Dragged Under a Ute in Coffs Harbour - Coffs Harbour, NSW
Smart summary
A 36-year-old service station employee has died in hospital after being struck by a ute while checking underground fuel tank levels. The driver has been charged, and investigations are continuing.
A 36-year-old service station worker has died after being struck by a ute at a fuel station on Harbour Drive in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. NSW Police confirmed the death on 26 October 2026, following an incident that occurred the previous week.
Emergency services were called to the service station at approximately 7pm on Tuesday, 20 October, after reports that a man had become trapped underneath a vehicle on the forecourt. Police said the worker had been checking underground fuel tank levels near the north-western side of the premises when the incident occurred.
Members of the public initially provided first aid while emergency crews responded. NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW State Emergency Service attended the scene and worked to free the trapped worker. Rescue crews faced difficulties accessing him because of the position of the vehicle.
After being freed, the man received treatment from paramedics and was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital in a critical condition. He was later airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for specialist treatment.
Despite medical efforts, the worker died in hospital on Sunday, 25 October. Police were notified of his death that day and confirmed the fatal outcome in a statement released on Monday.
The incident is being investigated by officers from the Coffs/Clarence Police District and the Crash Investigation Unit. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, including how the vehicle struck the worker and the events immediately before the incident.
The alleged driver, a 44-year-old woman, was arrested on the night of the incident. She was charged with negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and a separate breach of bail relating to other matters. She has been granted bail and is due to return to Coffs Harbour Local Court later in the week.
Police have said initial inquiries indicated that the incident was not targeted. Investigators reported that the driver and worker were not known to each other and that there had been no previous interaction between them.
Safe Work NSW is also involved in examining the circumstances of the workplace incident. The investigation will consider the activities taking place on the forecourt, the position of the worker and vehicle, and any other factors relevant to understanding how the collision occurred.
A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner, who may examine the circumstances of the death as part of the formal process. Police have confirmed that inquiries are continuing, and no additional charges had been announced in the report published on 26 October.
The death has highlighted the serious risks that can arise when workers perform tasks around moving vehicles, particularly in busy service station environments. Fuel tank inspections and other maintenance activities require careful coordination between staff, drivers and site operators.
Authorities have not yet released a final account of how the collision occurred. The ongoing investigation is expected to establish further details, while the court process will address the charges already laid against the driver.
WorkerIncidentPoliceCoffsHarbour
A 36-year-old service station worker has died after being struck by a ute at a fuel station on Harbour Drive in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. NSW Police confirmed the death on 26 October 2026, following an incident that occurred the previous week.
Emergency services were called to the service station at approximately 7pm on Tuesday, 20 October, after reports that a man had become trapped underneath a vehicle on the forecourt. Police said the worker had been checking underground fuel tank levels near the north-western side of the premises when the incident occurred.
Members of the public initially provided first aid while emergency crews responded. NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW State Emergency Service attended the scene and worked to free the trapped worker. Rescue crews faced difficulties accessing him because of the position of the vehicle.
After being freed, the man received treatment from paramedics and was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital in a critical condition. He was later airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for specialist treatment.
Despite medical efforts, the worker died in hospital on Sunday, 25 October. Police were notified of his death that day and confirmed the fatal outcome in a statement released on Monday.
The incident is being investigated by officers from the Coffs/Clarence Police District and the Crash Investigation Unit. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, including how the vehicle struck the worker and the events immediately before the incident.
The alleged driver, a 44-year-old woman, was arrested on the night of the incident. She was charged with negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and a separate breach of bail relating to other matters. She has been granted bail and is due to return to Coffs Harbour Local Court later in the week.
Police have said initial inquiries indicated that the incident was not targeted. Investigators reported that the driver and worker were not known to each other and that there had been no previous interaction between them.
Safe Work NSW is also involved in examining the circumstances of the workplace incident. The investigation will consider the activities taking place on the forecourt, the position of the worker and vehicle, and any other factors relevant to understanding how the collision occurred.
A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner, who may examine the circumstances of the death as part of the formal process. Police have confirmed that inquiries are continuing, and no additional charges had been announced in the report published on 26 October.
The death has highlighted the serious risks that can arise when workers perform tasks around moving vehicles, particularly in busy service station environments. Fuel tank inspections and other maintenance activities require careful coordination between staff, drivers and site operators.
Authorities have not yet released a final account of how the collision occurred. The ongoing investigation is expected to establish further details, while the court process will address the charges already laid against the driver.
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