Reflective Kiwi %-)
Ted's Monthly New Zealand Herald Update - Headlines for November19th/20th - Pike River Mine Blast Tragedy!
Chapter 11 in Ted's monthly news update...
October 19th/20th 2010
Another Month has rolled around....
Ted got a bit behind with last month...
We took the photo but just never got around to uploading it!
He's only JUST forgiven me for that...
It's been a busy time just lately.
THIS month though... he was adamant that I get it sorted straight away....
As he has a very important new story to cover!
Usually we do the report on the 19th.. but in this case we're doing the 20th!
To cover the terribly tragic Mining Disaster that occured on the 19th!
Anxious Families gather as Rescue Crew wait for all clear to enter mine...
Families gathered outside the Pike River Coal offices in Greymouth early this morning to hear the latest news of the 29 trapped miners.
Looking tired and anxious, the families are hearing a briefing from Pike River Coal and rescue authorities who are still not able to enter the mine after the explosion yesterday afternoon. Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn has been greeting each family member with hugs. Kokshoorn said the successful Chilean mine rescue is giving him hope. "We remember the Chile mine recently, that every miner got out. At the moment, we're hanging onto every hope, just like they did. However, Mr Kokshoorn said a speedy rescue was not likely. "Rescue crews are doing all they can, but this is going to be a very slow recovery." Rescuers are still waiting for the all-clear on gas build-up before going into the coal mine. Nothing had been heard from the men since the explosion deep underground yesterday afternoon.
Worried families rushed yesterday to the entrance to the Pike River Coal company's mine, 46km east of Greymouth. The alarm was raised when mine electrician Russell Smith, 50, investigated a power cut at 3.50pm. He discovered loader driver Daniel Rockhouse, 24, who had been blown off his machine. The two men, who were working some distance from the other mine staff, escaped through a service portal and walked 2km through a valley to alert emergency services. The pair had moderate injuries and were taken to Grey Hospital in Greymouth.
Pike River Coal CEO Peter Whittall says it unlikely that yesterday's explosion could have caused a collapse at the mine, where 29 miners remain missing. He expects the mine's structural integrity to hold due to the design and materials used. "Mine explosions don't typically damage the roof unless there are timber props that can be knocked out," he said at a press conference this morning, "we don't have those in the mine." "We've got a very strong roof, it's all fully bolted and I would believe it's unlikely that an explosion even of a significant magnitude would actually damage the [mine shaft]," said Whittall.
He said that as the mine is a tunnel mine, not a shaft mine, which means a rescue will be much more easy, once it is deemed safe to enter. Officials remain concerned about the possible levels of methane gas in the mine. Mr Whittal said they weren't aware of any hazardous circumstances in the mine on Friday and added the miners have an oxygen device which can give them 30 to 60 minutes of clean air. Whittall said he has assured family and friends of the trapped miners that the company is doing every humanly and technically possible to recover them.
Ted and the 'Rescue Bears' have been on standby all weekend...
Ready to offer their service once the 'All Clear' has been given and it's safe to go in!
At present it is still a waiting game... and a very sad and anxious time for the families involved!
Here's a little song byThe Cowboy Junkies... with respect to those Miners
Our thoughts and prayers are with them all for a safe recovery!
I'll be back tomorrow to catch up with you all...
It's WAY past my bedtime just now...
But Ted insisted I get this loaded tonight! %-)
Ted's Monthly New Zealand Herald Update - Headlines for November19th/20th - Pike River Mine Blast Tragedy!
Chapter 11 in Ted's monthly news update...
October 19th/20th 2010
Another Month has rolled around....
Ted got a bit behind with last month...
We took the photo but just never got around to uploading it!
He's only JUST forgiven me for that...
It's been a busy time just lately.
THIS month though... he was adamant that I get it sorted straight away....
As he has a very important new story to cover!
Usually we do the report on the 19th.. but in this case we're doing the 20th!
To cover the terribly tragic Mining Disaster that occured on the 19th!
Anxious Families gather as Rescue Crew wait for all clear to enter mine...
Families gathered outside the Pike River Coal offices in Greymouth early this morning to hear the latest news of the 29 trapped miners.
Looking tired and anxious, the families are hearing a briefing from Pike River Coal and rescue authorities who are still not able to enter the mine after the explosion yesterday afternoon. Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn has been greeting each family member with hugs. Kokshoorn said the successful Chilean mine rescue is giving him hope. "We remember the Chile mine recently, that every miner got out. At the moment, we're hanging onto every hope, just like they did. However, Mr Kokshoorn said a speedy rescue was not likely. "Rescue crews are doing all they can, but this is going to be a very slow recovery." Rescuers are still waiting for the all-clear on gas build-up before going into the coal mine. Nothing had been heard from the men since the explosion deep underground yesterday afternoon.
Worried families rushed yesterday to the entrance to the Pike River Coal company's mine, 46km east of Greymouth. The alarm was raised when mine electrician Russell Smith, 50, investigated a power cut at 3.50pm. He discovered loader driver Daniel Rockhouse, 24, who had been blown off his machine. The two men, who were working some distance from the other mine staff, escaped through a service portal and walked 2km through a valley to alert emergency services. The pair had moderate injuries and were taken to Grey Hospital in Greymouth.
Pike River Coal CEO Peter Whittall says it unlikely that yesterday's explosion could have caused a collapse at the mine, where 29 miners remain missing. He expects the mine's structural integrity to hold due to the design and materials used. "Mine explosions don't typically damage the roof unless there are timber props that can be knocked out," he said at a press conference this morning, "we don't have those in the mine." "We've got a very strong roof, it's all fully bolted and I would believe it's unlikely that an explosion even of a significant magnitude would actually damage the [mine shaft]," said Whittall.
He said that as the mine is a tunnel mine, not a shaft mine, which means a rescue will be much more easy, once it is deemed safe to enter. Officials remain concerned about the possible levels of methane gas in the mine. Mr Whittal said they weren't aware of any hazardous circumstances in the mine on Friday and added the miners have an oxygen device which can give them 30 to 60 minutes of clean air. Whittall said he has assured family and friends of the trapped miners that the company is doing every humanly and technically possible to recover them.
Ted and the 'Rescue Bears' have been on standby all weekend...
Ready to offer their service once the 'All Clear' has been given and it's safe to go in!
At present it is still a waiting game... and a very sad and anxious time for the families involved!
Here's a little song byThe Cowboy Junkies... with respect to those Miners
Our thoughts and prayers are with them all for a safe recovery!
I'll be back tomorrow to catch up with you all...
It's WAY past my bedtime just now...
But Ted insisted I get this loaded tonight! %-)