WA Salt refinery death in North Coogee: Worker killed revealed as Craig Robertson as tributes flow

The worker who tragically lost his life after being dragged into a conveyor belt at a salt packaging plant south of Fremantle has been revealed as Craig Robertson. Mr Robertson was working at WA Salt Supply before sunrise on Thursday when he reportedly went to check the hopper — a storage container used to dispense and sort through salt for transport across the conveyor belt. When he was gone for “too long”, a colleague is believed to have checked on him — but it was too late. He had already been dragged into the belt system. Mr Robertson died at the scene but no one is believed to have witnessed the gruesome incident unfold. Firefighters had to help remove his body from the machinery. Those close to Mr Robertson were upset about his death. They described him as a “good, funny, happy guy”. One person who knew him said that he was “a top bloke” who was always “really good to talk to”. The West Australian understands that Mr Robertson was in his 50s and from the Eastern States. He may also have had ties to New Zealand. In a tragic twist, a source close to Mr Robertson said that he believed he was planning to leave WA in several months to return to the Eastern States to earn a better income. He never got to fulfil that plan. WA Salt Group was founded by Arthur, Jack and George Lister in the 1940s. Its chief executive officer is Lelio Gaudieri. The company said on Thursday that it had commissioned an independent investigation to get to the bottom of what happened. “This is a devastating day for everyone at WA Salt and our thoughts are with the deceased’s friends, family and colleagues at this extremely difficult time,” it said. “Employee safety and wellbeing is our highest priority, and counselling has been made available for all employees.” WorkSafe is investigating the incident and were at the North Coogee facility near the old South Fremantle Power Station again on Friday. Police are also preparing a report for the coroner.