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In Memory of
Pike River Coal Mine Disaster
Thursday, April 25, 2019
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New SearchLast Name:Pike River Coal Mine Disaster - Death Date:19 November 2010
- Country:New Zealand
- Charity:Miners Relief Fund
- Published Notices:(0)
- ID:116331
Twenty-nine miners died in the second blast of the Pike River Coal Mine disaster on the West Coast on the 24th November 2010. The first blast, possibly due to toxic gas build up, was five days earlier and had caused rescue efforts to be delayed. The gas and heat levels measured after the second blast showed fatal levels that no one could survive.
Conrad John ADAMS, 43, of Greymouth
Malcolm CAMPBELL, 25, of Greymouth originally from Scotland
Glen Peter CRUSE, 35, of Cobden
Allan John DIXON, 59, of Runanga
Zen Wodin DREW, 21, of Greymouth
Christopher Peter DUGGAN, 31, of Greymouth
Joseph Ray DUNBAR,17, of Greymouth
John Leonard HALE, 45, of Ruatapu
Daniel Thomas HERK, 36, of Runanga
David Mark HOGGART, 33, of Foxton
Richard Bennett HOLLING, 41, of Blackball
Andrew David HURREN, 32, of Greymouth
Jacobus (Koos) Albertus JONKER, 47, of Cobden, originally from South Africa
William John JOYNSON, 49, of Dunollie, originally from Australia
Riki Steve KEANE, 28, of Greymouth
Terry David KITCHIN, 41, of Runanga
Samuel Peter MACKIE, 26, of Greymouth
Francis Skiddy MARDEN, 41, of Runanga
Michael Nolan Hanmer MONK, 23, of Greymouth
Stuart Gilbert MUDGE, 31, of Runanga
Kane Barry NIEPER, 33, of Greymouth
Peter O'NEILL, 55, of Runanga
Milton John OSBORNE, 54, of Ngahere
Brendan John PALMER, 27, of Cobden
Benjamin David ROCKHOUSE, 21, of Greymouth
Peter James RODGER, 40, of Greymouth
Blair David SIMS, 28, of Greymouth
Joshua Adam UFER, 25, from Australia
Keith Thomas VALLI, 62, of Wairio
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Messages
Messages posted (67) - Leave a Message << [1] 2 3 4 5 ... 7 >>
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Tragedy felt worldwide
Recently home from a trip to Israel (where I was during this tragedy), and other countries, I wish all the families to know that this tragedy was felt so very deeply in the whole world. Greymouth was my home town for about 20mths as an 11/12 year old and I was aware of the absolute dread families were feeling. People in Israel were following the news and mourning with you. Many prayers were said by people who have never been to NZ or even heard of Greymouth. Please accept our very deepest sympathy. Simone
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Pike Mining Disaster 2010
They worked in a mine, the Pike twenty nine, on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast. Those poor brave men, went down again, and bragged who could drink the most. You could hear noise, from those working boys as they picked the seam of coal. With laughter they sweat, till they’re soaking wet and the day has taken it’s toll. Number twenty nine, the 10th prime, the digits not of our choosing. on the 19th day of November they say, fate wasn’t going to be losing. A second blast, flags at half mast, the news sent our spirits falling. The rescue date, it came too late, we pray that heaven was calling. We sing a lament, twenty nine souls went. from that horrible fiery pit. Their faces we’ll miss, no goodbye kiss, no passing wisdom or wit. Twenty one plus eight, an empty plate at each house this Christmas time The churches fill, with mourners still, the bells begin to chime. No vigil there, no graveside prayer, no bodies left to hold. The whole world knows, the pain that grows, our prayers have not gone cold. By Roger Vincent Author of “Apostrophe to Zenith”
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Malcolm Campbell
To Amanda, My heart aches for you, words cannot express the pain and anguish you must be feeling at this time. Although no words can comfort you, I hope that in the months and years ahead, this message along with others you receive, will let you know that others from all over the world are walking this path with you in spirit and in love. The special day that you and Malcolm had chosen is also special to me. It is my son's 38th birthday and his middle name is Campbell (Campbell is also my grandson's name) and my brother is Malcolm. My father-in-law and my husband worked underground for many years so this tragedy is very close to my heart. My heart goes out to you, to Malcolm's parents and his family, to your parents and family and to all those who knew and loved Malcolm. Irene Forrest, a Kiwi living in the USA
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In remembrance of all 29 miners
My heart and thoughts are with all the families and loved ones of the 29 brave and precious men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine disaster. Words cannot express, nor comfort, the heartache and anguish you are all suffering. In the months and years ahead I hope that this message and others you receive will comfort you in knowing that there are others from all over the world who are walking this path with you in spirit and love. We will never forget these 29 beautiful men, their memory will live forever in our hearts. My deepest sympathy to all of you, Irene Forrest A kiwi living in the USA
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THE MEN OF PIKE part 2 - Poem by Sean Plunket
Mates and friends who we are seeking Methane gas from coal seams leaking Vents exploded, phones unheeded Level heads and strength are needed The world above unites as one To bring the missing to the sun Rescue teams are standing by As holes are drilled and experts try To find a way that’s safe and sound To rescue those beneath the ground Could robots work where men are mortal To pierce the dangers of that portal But alas all effort fails The darkness of the mine prevails A second blast of rock and thunder Hope and prayers are rent asunder A nation weeps and Coasters mourn Pike falls silent, dark, forlorn A hole remains within the ground Devoid of joy, of life, of sound Another hole within the heart Of those forever set apart From those they loved who went to toil Digging coal beneath the soil Those who gave their lives that day To work a shift for honest pay They wait at rest within their mine The men of Pike, the Twenty Nine
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THE MEN OF PIKE part 1 - Poem by Sean Plunket
They came from near and far away The men of Pike to work that day The afternoon shift way down deep Beneath the mountains oh so steep A long way in but further out The afternoon shift sets about A job not flash but hard and trying A job that holds the risk of dying From seventeen to sixty two They start their shift to see it through For one his first, for all their last How could they know there’d be a blast? For all at once no siren whining Suddenly the worst in mining Dust and rubble fill the air A loader driver thrown clear Just one other finds the light The rest are hidden from our sight And so we learn as news is spread The news that mining families dread It’s up at Pike there’s an explosion Faces drop and hearts are frozen Who, how many, where and why ---- Will they make it ---- will they die Fathers, husbands, brothers, sons Coasters, Kiwis, Aussies, Poms
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