THE HOST
For over 50 years Kel Bendeich has responded to emergencies in the mining industry in a career that saw him work across three continents.
He has responded to the tragic, the disastrous, the heartbreaking, the unbelievable and the almost unprecedented incidents that have occurred in surface operations and within the surrounding communities of the mining operations.
​
Sharing these stories is Kel’s way of contributing to the ongoing education, awareness and preparedness of ERT and HSEC practitioners working in the mining industry.
​
​
Listen to ‘ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED’ and 'ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED YOUR STORY' now!
kel's Story
In 1980, in the coal mining region of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales Australia, a Caterpillar 776 Belly Dumper had fallen some 40 feet off the side of the Coal Receival Bin, it is now balancing on another 40 feet drop, the driver was trapped alive upside down in the cabin.
​
A young mineworker, boilermaker by trade and retainer firefighter of the N.S.W. Fire Brigade, responded to the scene, retrieving the trapped operator and rescuing the man’s life.
​
This was the moment that changed Kel Bendeich’s life.
​
It was the first rescue of a 50-year career in emergency response that spanned across Australia, Asia and Africa.
​
Kel, now retired and in his 70s, has responded to thousands of emergencies both on and off remote mine sites.
​
He has responded to the tragic, the disastrous, the heartbreaking, the unbelievable and the almost unprecedented events that have occurred in the mining industry and in the surrounding communities of the mining operations.
​
Sharing these stories is Kel’s way of contributing to the ongoing education, awareness and preparedness of Emergency Response Team practitioners working in the mining industry.
​
​
Listen to Kel's 'ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED’ true stories and to his guest's, who tell their 'ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED YOUR STORY' now!