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WORKMATES of the two men killed in a toxic gas leak at a paper mill near Albury have rallied around the families of their fallen friends.
Lyndon Quinlivan, 36, and Ben Pascall, 28, died in hospital hours after inhaling toxic gas during routine maintenance at the Norske Skog paper mill, near the Victorian border, on Wednesday.
A 22-year-old man remained at Albury Base Hospital on Friday night in a critical condition.
TWO WORKERS DEAD AFTER TOXIC GAS LEAK
Shattered workers from the Ettamogah mill pledged on Friday to raise money to support the grieving families.
Norske Skog, a Norwegian company, has vowed to match any donation and offered counselling to all workers.
SafeWork New South Wales launched an investigation into the leak, which saw more than 150 people flee the plant.
It is believed the leaking gas was the deadly hydrogen sulfate.
The Herald Sun understands the three workers were left unconscious while working on top of an indoor water tank.
A further 15 workers were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and all were discharged by Thursday.
Norske Skog general manager Milo Foster said he was devastated by the accident.
“Our first concern is to our employees, their families and everyone affected by this tragic accident,” he said.
“We will provide support to those affected and work with authorities to investigate what happened.”
Heartbroken friends and family of the two men have taken to social media to share their grief and disbelief.
Friends of Mr Pascall shared their heartbreak for the young man’s family.
“A young man’s life taken too soon,” school friend Shannon Alyce wrote.
“What a horrific accident.”
Sharon Montebello said: “So terrible. Thoughts with Ben’s family and Georgia.”
Friend Jackie Edmunds remembered what a good friend and sportsman Mr Quinlivan was.
“A genuine bloke. And an amazing bowler!” she wrote.
“Will be sadly missed by your family I’m sure mate.”
Anissa Dorman posted a tribute on a Wodonga bowling page.
“Rip Lyndon Quinlivan a gentleman tragically taken too soon,” she wrote.
“Payday league will be lost without you.”
A former nurse said she knew Mr Quinlivan from work and remembered him from his induction at the paper mill.
“He was a lovely young man and settled into his working life at Norske Skog really well,” Robyn Macaulay wrote.
“My heart goes out to Lyndon’s family and friends and all those who work at Norske Skog.”
Tanya O’Halloran expressed her disbelief.
“There are just no words,” she wrote.
“Thinking of our beautiful friend and family at this very sad time.”
SafeWork NSW said it was a “very rare” incident and early investigations came up blank as to how the gas got inside the plant.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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