Pat was clearing a path across a gully to allow the passage of a centre pivot irrigator on a farm in the Ravenshoe area when the accident happened. He leaves a wife, Fay, and three sons, Michael, Ian and Greg.

Pat Byrnes became a legend of the earthmoving business in North Queensland and had a passion for heavy machinery. His wife Fay said he was never happier than when operating dozers and other big machinery.

"He looked on his work as his leisure and never considered it a drag," she said.

Pat was born into the tiny community of Kairi where he did his primary education, then attended the Atherton State High School.

Not being the academic type, his schooling was terminated during his Grade 10 year.

"The principal told him it was best that he leave before he was expelled," Fay said.

After working for several "tough" employers, he decided that the only way he was going to get ahead was to work for himself and set out on a career of earthmoving.

He made a name for himself as one of the most accomplished machinery operators in North Queensland and was always in great demand building dams, roads, and subdivisions and land clearing.

Pat became the patriarch of his branch of the Byrnes family after his father died and his brother Owen reports that at times he considered him more of a father than a brother.

Fay said his sons were the joy of his life and she was thankful that he at least was able to see them grow into adults and begin lives of their own.

His son Michael did a fitting and turning apprenticeship and now operates his own transport company, CLC Mareeba.

Ian completed a building apprenticeship and has his own building business, and Greg is an electrician who is now playing for the Broncos feeder club, the Redcliffe Dolphins. He has also played for the Storm.

Fay said that one of Pat's biggest thrills in his life was travelling to Melbourne to watch Greg play for the Melbourne Storm.

Patrick Byrnes was a legend in his own time and had a presence about him that commanded respect. He was much loved by his family and the Atherton Tableland community.

Pat will be sadly missed. Management and staff at the North Queensland Register offer their sincere condolences to Fay, Michael, Ian and Greg.