Police reinforcements head to Greymouth

Superintendent Gary Knowles and Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall during a press conference in Greymouth. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Seven police officers from the Southern police district and a member of a police disaster victim identification team have been sent to Greymouth to assist with the police search and rescue operation at the Pike River coal mine.

The officer in charge of the operation, Superintendent Gary Knowles, acknowledged yesterday that hopes were fading for the men still inside the mine after Friday's explosion and said police were preparing to deal with any eventuality.