Arabic version: إصابة نائب وعضو فريقه بعد اصطدام بارجة محار برصيف رملي

South Australian federal MP Tony Pasin and a staff member were injured when an oyster barge hit a sandbar while returning from an oyster farm tour. According to ABC News, the incident occurred at Bakers Beach, north-west of Launceston, at about 9.30am on Thursday morning.

Tasmania Police said a man fell overboard after the oyster barge hit a sandbar and became briefly trapped between the vessel and the sandbar. “The man was quickly retrieved by other people on board the barge and was provided medical assistance at the scene,” Tasmania Police said in a statement. The injured person was taken to the Launceston General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

It is unclear whether it was Mr Pasin, the Liberal MP for the seat of Barker, or his staffer who fell from the barge. The ABC report notes the injured man is being treated in Launceston.

In a statement, Mr Pasin said both he and his staff member were injured and were receiving medical treatment. He said he was undertaking “shadow ministerial duties” at the time and is the Coalition’s shadow minister assisting for fisheries and forestry. “My first priority is the welfare of my staff member,” he said. “I thank the first responders who attended the scene and all those involved in providing assistance. I intend to remain in Tasmania to support my staff member.”

WorkSafe Tasmania and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority have been notified about the incident, the ABC report says.

The reporting describes the immediate response: other people on board retrieved the man and provided medical assistance at the scene before he was taken to hospital. No further details about the condition of Mr Pasin or his staff member beyond that they were injured and receiving treatment were provided in the source article.

Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Tasmania