Families of the Pike River dead are vowing to blockade the
West Coast mine if coal extraction starts before the bodies
of their loved ones are recovered.
A spokesman for the families of the Pike River Mine disaster
victims says it's "great'' the Government is taking mine
safety seriously by suspending operations at another West
Coast mine.
Former Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall was
"absolutely devastated'' his one-time colleague Doug White
had labelled him a dodgy git and megalomaniac at the Royal
Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River mining disaster,
his lawyer says.
Former Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall was a
"dodgy git'' and a "megalomaniac'' who blamed others for his
mistakes, the Royal Commission of Inquiry was told today.
Why the body of a coalminer showed no sign of damage from the
massive explosion that tore through the Pike River Mine was
one of two enduring puzzles scrutinised at the Royal
Commission of Inquiry into the disaster today.
The Pike River Mine explosion was probably caused by a
rockfall that sent explosive gases rushing through the mine,
just as the water pumps were turned back on, causing
electrical equipment to spark.
Families of Pike River victims frustrated at the lack of
progress in returning the fallen miners' bodies are designing
"aggressive'' action plans to speed up the recovery process.
