Pike River: The day our lives changed forever

Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall. Photo / Mark Mitchell

On November 19 "our lives changed forever" when the Pike River Mine exploded, the mining company chief executive told mourners today.

Peter Whittall, the chief executive of Pike River Coal, thanked every one of the 11,000 people packed into the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth for being at the service "in tribute to our 29 lost mates".

He said no one could imagine the sense of loss suffered by the families whose men were still in the mine.

For five days they hoped and prayed they would see their men again but those hopes were dashed by the second explosion.

"Since then we have continued to work to get our guys out of the mine and back to our families and still we wait.

"All of New Zealand and much of the world has joined us in this tragedy.

"Your kind words of encouragement, your texts, your emails, your letters, your gifts of encouragement and support for our Pike team, our families, and our emergency services have been overwhelming and so very welcome.

"Our work force has been growing over the last few years. Our men and our women have been drawn to this new development from the West Coast and from the rest of New Zealand, from Australia, from South Africa, from Britain and from other countries.

"The men we remember today were from a cross-section of all those places, drawn to the challenge of a new mine, drawn to the chance to work with new equipment and be part of establishing a new culture, drawn to the beauty and lifestyle of the West Coast.

"But also drawn to the mateship and camaraderie of underground coal mining - our industry.

"Underground coal miners are a pretty close-knit bunch. We get to know each other pretty well working underground. The work is often heavy and tiring but in the changeable mining environment, the large equipment, the often tight conditions we work in, men with skills and experience are valued and good safe operators are quickly identified and well respected."

Mr Whittall said the men they lost had a wide range of skills and experience.

"Some were very experienced, one was on his first day or work.

"All of them were part of a team. All of them will remain part of Pike River Coal."

Rescue efforts had drawn on the generous support of a large number of companies which had provided much in the way of people and equipment, at little or no cost, to ensure everything could be done.

Mr Whittall acknowledged mine rescue services from New Zealand, New South Wales and Queensland, the police, emergency and support services, the mayor of Greymouth Tony Kokshoorn and his council and staff, Air New Zealand and Solid Energy.

"To all these men, these women, these companies both large and small, to all these organisations, we say thank you.

"But today we focus on the men we have lost and on their families.

"This is an ongoing operation. While we mourn our lost mates we are still working continuously to bring them home.

"Our men are still in the mine and the mine is still holding us out."

"We are fighting to win the battle with science, with courage, with tenacity and with sheer bloody determination."

As Mr Whittall closed his address and thanked the staff of Pike River Coal his voice wavered slightly.

They had worked tirelessly and had show courage, flexibility and true loyalty to the men underground .

"Today is a day of remembrance as every day will be from now on.

"I am sure none of us will ever forget," he said.

- NZPA