Fire and Rescue NSW took the lead at the Ettamogah mill after responding to reports of three people being overcome by fumes, later receiving assistance from both NSW and Victorian ambulance officers.

Firefighters even commandeered ambulances to transfer patients to Albury Base Hospital, ensuring paramedics were able to attend to those remaining at the mill.

Three arrived at hospital in a critical condition.

Wodonga man Ben Pascall, 28, and 37-year-old Lavington man Lyndon Quinlivan have since died.

A third man, 22, remained in a critical condition at the time of writing.

A further 12 people were taken to hospital but later discharged.

NSW Ambulance acting inspector Rodney Hannan said responding to this type of incident was what ambulance officers were trained to do, but that it was nonetheless confronting for officers to attend a scene where they were likely to know someone.

“It’s what we’re trained for – it’s always difficult, always hard,” he said.

“In these circumstances you never know how many patients you’re going to have, how many you’ll have to treat.

“Fortunately we were able to respond with a number of vehicles and also had the assistance of the Victorian Ambulance Service.

“We’ve all debriefed, but it is hard because we all live in this community, and I’m sure some of us would know people who work at the mill.” 

Safe Work NSW began their investigation into the incident yesterday.