Pike River Mine disaster memorial

 

 

The Pike River Mine disaster was a coal mining accident that began on 19 November 2010 in the Pike River Mine, 46 kilometers (29 mi) northeast of Greymouth, in the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. A methane explosion occurred in the mine at approximately 3:44 pm (NZDT, UTC+13) and 16 miners and 13 contractors, often referred to as the twenty-nine, were believed to be at least 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) from the mine's entrance. Rescue team was not allowed to enter the mine due to high methane levels and risk of further explosions.Following a second explosion on 24 November at 2:37 pm, the 29 remaining men were believed by police to be dead. A third explosion occurred at 3:39 pm on 26 November 2010, and a fourth explosion occurred just before 2 pm on 28 November 2010. According to the new mine owner, Solid Energy, the bodies of the 29 miners who died there may never be recovered.

 These miners will never come home again.

Every day, in some small way, memories of you come our way.
Though absent, you are ever near, still missed, still loved, and ever dear.

Malcolm Campbell 25, Greymouth (Scottish).

Francis Marden 41, Runanga.

Peter James Rodger 40, Greymouth (British).

Chris Duggan 31, Greymouth.

Ben Rockhouse 21, Greymouth.

Josh Ufer 25, Australia.

Brendon Palmer 27, Cobden.

Milton Osborne 54, Ngahere.

Blair Sims 28, Greymouth.

Michael Monk 23, Greymouth.

Zen Drew 21, Greymouth.

Conrad Adams 43, Greymouth.

Stuart Mudge 31, Runanga.

Jacobus Albertus Jonker 47, Cobden (South Africa).

David Mark Hoggart 33, Greymouth.

Richard Bennett Holling 41, Blackball.

Peter O'Neill 55, Runanga.

Keith Thomas Valli 62, Winton.

Riki Steve Keane 28, Greymouth.

Kane Barry Nieper 33, Greymouth.

Joseph Ray Dunbar 17, Greymouth.

Glen Peter Cruse 35, Cobden.

Daniel Thomas Herk 36, Runanga.

Andrew David Hurren 32, Hokitika.

Samuel Peter Mackie, 26, Greymouth.

Terry David Kitchin 41, Runanga.

William John Joynson 49, Dunollie Australia.

Allan John Dixon 59, Runanga.

John Leonard Hale 45, Ruatapu.

 

 

Coal Miner’s Prayer.

Each day as we rise, Lord

We know all too well,

We face only one thing

A pit filed with hell.

To scratch out a living

The best that we can,

But deep in the heart

Lies the soul of a man.

With black covered faces,

And hard calloused hands,

We work the dark tunnels,

Unable to stand.

To labour and toil as

We harvest the coals,

We silently pray “Lord,

Please harvest our souls”. 

Pike River Mine disaster memorial.

References: 1. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-disaster/the-pike-river-miners

                      2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_River_Mine_disaster