COBAR, NSW — The mining town of Cobar is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Holly Clarke, 24, and Patrick McMullen, 66, who tragically lost their lives following a deadly explosion at the Endeavor Mine early Tuesday morning. The fatal blast has left the close-knit community reeling, as tributes continue to pour in for the two miners who were deeply respected both on and off the job.
According to authorities, the explosion occurred around 3:45 a.m. as a team of three miners worked underground during the night shift to set explosives. Early investigations suggest that the detonation happened unexpectedly, giving the workers little time to escape to safety.
Veteran miner Patrick McMullen was killed instantly in the blast. His younger colleague, Holly Clarke, was rescued from underground and transported to the surface but later died from her injuries despite emergency medical efforts. A third miner, Mackenzie Stirling, 24, was airlifted to Orange Health Service where she was treated for shock and hearing damage. Authorities confirmed she was in stable condition as of Tuesday night.
The tragedy has struck at the heart of Cobar’s long-standing mining community, which has a history of strength and resilience built around shared hardship and solidarity. In the hours following the news, social media was flooded with messages of grief, remembrance, and support for the victims’ families.
“Holly was the kind of person who could make anyone smile — always laughing, always kind,” one friend shared. “My heart is shattered. I’ll never forget our time together at Inland.” Another post described both Clarke and McMullen as “beautiful souls taken far too soon, doing what they loved.”
Across town, businesses and residents are paying tribute by displaying miner’s helmets and candles in their windows. Many locals have changed their profile photos to an image of a helmet reading “In memory of our fallen miners.”
Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden said the community was “devastated and in shock.”
“The most valuable thing in a mine are the miners, and two families won’t see their loved ones again,” Marsden said. “Their lives have been changed forever — just decimated by this.”
In a joint statement, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos called it a “heartbreaking day” for Cobar and the broader mining industry.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the workers who have tragically died in Cobar today,” the statement read. “We understand investigations are still underway.”
Located roughly 450 km east of Broken Hill, the Endeavor Mine is the second-largest polymetallic mine in Australia, producing zinc, silver, and lead. The site, which had been closed since 2020, was purchased by Polymetals in 2023, with operations resuming earlier this year. Around 30 workers were reportedly on-site at the time of the explosion.
All mining operations have been suspended as investigators work to determine the cause of the fatal blast. Safety officials and company representatives are assisting state authorities to ensure a thorough review of procedures and equipment.
As Cobar grieves, the community is remembering Holly Clarke and Patrick McMullen not only as skilled miners but as beloved members of a tight-knit family whose warmth, dedication, and courage defined them. Their passing serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by miners each day — and the enduring strength of those who work beneath the earth in pursuit of a better life for their families and their town.