The ACT coroner has been blocked from questioning the staff of a helicopter company that employed pilot David Wood, who died after falling into a crevasse in Antarctica.
The 62-year-old fell into an icy crack during a routine fuel drop near Davis Station in January 2016. He was rescued, but later died of hypothermia.
David Lomas, the chief pilot for Helicopter Resources, was set to give his evidence to the coronial inquest, but lawyers for the company managed to secure a temporary injunction from the Federal Court in an urgent hearing on Monday.
The inquest into Mr Wood's death has held several hearings already and his wife, Mary Macdonald, said it had taken a huge toll on her family.
She wrote to the court asking that there be no further delay, adding that it had been costly for the family to travel from Canada for the hearings and this week was the only opportunity for her sons to be present.
"To postpone further … will be a cruel blow to our family," she said.
Justice John Griffiths acknowledged the letter, but also noted the difficult issues when civil and criminal proceedings occurred simultaneously.
Late last year, criminal charges were laid against Helicopter Resources and the Department of Environment and Energy under federal work health and safety laws.
Lawyers for Helicopter Resources told the Federal Court that prosecutors could use any evidence given by Mr Lomas as a "dry run" for their criminal case, which could prevent the company from getting a fair trial.
A full hearing on a permanent injunction is expected to be held later this month.
