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Peter Whittall, Pike River CEO, becomes emotional as he tells reporters he is unlikely to see his workmates again after the second explosion in the mine - Source: ONE News -
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An emotional Pike River Coal head Peter Whittall has promised everything possible will be done to recover the bodies of the 29 miners killed underground, saying "We want our boys back".
All of the miners are now known to have perished following a second even bigger explosion in the mine this afternoon following the initial blast on Friday afternoon.
Whittall told reporters in Greymouth: "I still want them back and the families still want them back and we'll do everything we can to make that happen.
But he said it is still unsafe to go into the mine.
"Gas will still be coming out of the coal, there's still an ignition source, there's no doubt still burning methane from that explosion. But we want our boys back and we want to get them back."
Whittall said teams will continue to monitor gas for as long as it is safe to do so.
"If we can continue to do this, we will, because this is an ongoing operation. We still have to understand how we can re-enter the mine, what we need to do about the mine, how we can deal with what we've got, 'cause we've still got 29 men in there, and we need to get them out."
Fighting back tears, Whittall said it was probable many of the miners would never have come out alive anyway following the first explosion on Friday.
"But this probably takes us to the point where I'm unlikely to see my workmates again, I'm unlikely to see them walk out of that mine."
Whittall had been called to the mine by the rescue service reviewing gas data and was in the control room watching CCTV footage when the explosion happened this afternoon.
"As I was in the control room I went back to the portal CCTV footage again which I hadn't been watching at the time and went back five minutes and was able to see a large explosion coming from the mine portal."
He said the explosion was more significant, was larger and stronger than the first explosion.
"It lasted about 30 seconds and it was not what I wanted to see. This is extremely devastating for the families. They were very hopeful that we would go up there this afternoon and we we'd be starting to look at going underground."
He said the decision not to attempt a rescue in the mine earlier because of the presence of volatile gases was vindicated today and he has told the rescue teams on standby how proud he is of them.
"I told them that I understood and most of the world understood why they couldn't go underground and it was vindicated today. And those men's lives are saved because they did the right thing and they analysed and they went through the risk protocols.
"And all the people who asserted that they should have just gone in anyway have just been shown why they shouldn't have gone in. And the men underground I'm sure would have understood that. And the men I spoke to this morning when I spoke to the rest of my staff and all of the workforce they understood too."
WhittalI later told Close Up it gives him no pleasure to be vindicated.
"But what it does do is say 'this is what we've been trying to explain'."
He added: "I hope everyone realises how hard everyone was working to get these guys out, how hard that everyone's been trying. And the message is we've lost 29 friends, we've lost 29 good guys. I think we've all shared the same loss, some more than others, but we've all shared it."
Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn told Close Up he's praying the rescuers can recover the miners' bodies.
"What we've got to do now, we've just got to pray to God that somehow they can go into that mine and bring those 29 miners back to their loved ones, give them back to them, because they can't get closure until they've got their loved ones in their arms again.
"We'll get in right behind those families and we will make sure this is as painless as can be. Coal's in the blood, it runs through the veins of Coasters, it always did and it still will.
"They couldn't send those rescue teams in over the last few days. But maybe there's an opportunity now," said Kokshoorn.
Share your messages of condolence to the friends and families of the men lost in the Pike River Mine on our messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commenttit4tat said on 2010-12-03 @ 18:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
condolences to the families, concern about the industry that allowed these men to work in unsafe conditions, mines are dangerous thats true but none can put their hands on their hearts and claim they have gone above and beyond what is lawfully required of them to ensure their "mates" safety. Glenn Grindly could lead the way by ensuring his mine workers and his local community are 110% protected people b4 profit yeah right!!!
tropicalkiwi said on 2010-12-02 @ 23:35 NZDT: Report abusive post
To the families of the miners, my condolences. My thoughts have been with over the last 13 days, I have shed tears for your loss and hope that the support you have been shown in some small way helps. You will remain in my thoughts.
james q said on 2010-12-02 @ 17:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tragedy has brought Australia & New Zealand together yet again. My thought are with the West Coasters in NZ from the west coast of Australia.
wellthatsafinemess said on 2010-12-02 @ 13:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
when your here your here when your gone your gone there is nothing to be said there is nothing can be done and when the bell tolls your on the final run to your maker you may fly upon wings of mercy sigh forever you will be in our hearts & our minds eye Rest in Peace Gentlemen.
turret said on 2010-12-02 @ 13:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
to hear your voice,to see you smile to sit and talk to you a while to be together the same old way that would be our greatest wish wish today.....to hear you laugh,to hear you cry on just a chance,to say goodbye to say the things we didn't say that would be our greatest wish today But all we can dois throw flowers on the water look fo the sun through the rain Lay a little flower gentle on the water Remember how we loved you to comb you hair,to lace your boots buy some beer ,let you choose .