'Unusual to say the least': Man's body found in coal wagon in Brisbane

A man’s body has been found in a coal wagon at a Brisbane port in what police are treating as suspicious circumstances.

A supplied image of QR National freight train hauling coal in Callemondah, Queensland. Source: QR NATIONAL

The man was located by Queensland Rail staff trying to unload a load of coal when the body became dislodged and an alarm was sounded.

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Owen Elloy said the case was being treated as suspicious.

“On the grounds that it is unusual to say the least,” he told reporters.

“There is nothing at this stage to suggest anything untoward has happened other than somehow this gentleman has found his way into one of these coal wagons, which are loaded with approximately 48 to 50 tonnes of coal.”

Inspector Elloy said forensic units would also be used in the investigation.

“The doors underneath the carriages ... when they’re emptied they close up and as they've closed, an alarm has sounded.

"Queensland Rail employees have stopped the movement of the train, and investigated the alarm... which showed the situation that we're in now.”

The train was loaded in Chinchilla and had travelled at least 11 hours, he said.