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REVEALED: The heartbreaking item a devastated friend found in her high school sweetheart’s home after he died in a horrific crash at BHP’s mining site – as his touching final act emerges
Worker killed in mine crash was 25 years old
Nathan Scholz was going to propose
Declared dead at the site of the Olympic Dam
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The 25-year-old worker who died in a horrific crash at a remote mine in South Australia was preparing to fly to Fiji and propose to his high school sweetheart – who made the heartbreaking discovery of the ring he opportunity bought.
Nathan Scholz was pronounced dead at the scene where he was reported to be a pedestrian when he was hit by a vehicle at BHP’s giant copper mine at Olympic Dam, 550km northwest of Adelaide, around 5.30am on Tuesday.
Mr Scholz was preparing to fly to Fiji next week with his partner Bianca Sonntag, where he planned to propose to her.
On Tuesday night, Ms. Sonntag and her parents, Angela and Jeff Sonntag, searched for the ring Mr. Scholz had hidden from Fiji’s surprise proposal and found it
Last week he brought the ‘best bottle of wine’ he could buy to Ms Sonntag’s parents, who live in the town of Greenock in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, northeast of Adelaide.
“We were leaving for Fiji in a week…he (had) planned the most romantic evening to propose,” Ms Sonntag told the Adelaide advertiser.
Bianca Sonntag (pictured left) poses with Nathan Scholz, who was tragically killed in an accident at South Australia’s Olympic Dam
“Not only was he my partner, he was my best friend,” the 25-year-old said of her partner for 11 years.
“He had a heart of gold and the greatest sense of humor.
“He was loved by his beautiful family. He will be in our hearts forever.”
Mr. Scholz and Mrs. Sonntag attended Nuriootpa High School, which is also located in the Barossa Valley.
“He was one of the brightest kids of our year… always shining with his grades and school awards,” said Ms. Sonntag.
Ms Sontag said her parents ‘loved him like (their) own son’. Mr. Scholz also had a sister, Madison, with parents Sharon and Kevin.
Mr. Scholz joined BHP contractor Murray Engineering in July 2021 as a diesel service technician and worked as a truck driver at Olympic Dam.
Police officers went to the scene of the accident within the confines of the mine.
She and SafeWork SA are investigating.
Mrs Sonntag (pictured right) met Mr Scholz (pictured left) at Nuriootpa High School in South Australia’s Barossa Valley
A BHP spokesperson was previously unable to provide further details on Mr Scholz’s cause of death.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of our workforce passed away this morning at our Olympic Dam,” they said.
“Our thoughts are with the person’s family, friends and colleagues and we offer all possible support during this difficult time.”
BHP Olympic Dam mine site victim Nathan Scholz planned to propose to high school sweetheart