“The mine reported that about 11am, a loaded coal truck from Jellinbah mine left the haulage road, went down an embankment and rolled over,” a Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman said.

“The driver suffered severe facial injuries and was airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital for treatment.”

The accident did not occur on the mine site, making it a matter for the Queensland Police Service and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

The 64-year-old driver was reported to be in a stable condition yesterday.