Public face of mine rescue bid remains a rock until end

Peter Whittall, with his family and company chairman John Dow (right), announces the news of the explosion in the mine yesterday that ended hopes of a rescue. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It was the toughest job he has ever had to do, but Peter Whittall felt it was his duty and his burden to tell the miners' families that their loved ones were not coming home.

For six days the chief executive of Pike River Coal had been a rock for the families of the 29 miners and a steady hand in front of the cameras.

When the time came to deliver the worst news possible, his character did not waver.

"They've looked to me for hope, and they've looked to me to keep them informed," he said. "It was my task, and I wanted to tell the families."

Since the first explosion six days ago, Mr Whittall, a 47-year-old Australian, has become the face of the rescue mission, fronting for despairing families and facing the cameras twice a day.

And yesterday after the families had been informed, he faced the questions and clicking cameras, his wife clutching his hand.

When that ordeal was over, he hugged his wife and two of his children, turned and left the room to applause from the gathered media - a tribute rarely given and one which showed the respect with which he was held.

He later said his family were "inextricably linked" with the men underground and had been a great support all week.

"I flew down on the Friday night not long after it happened and the next day my wife put the car on the ferry and came down with two of my three children and she's here with me since Saturday," he told Close Up.

"She knows some of the men underground herself ... My children went to school with some of their children, my wife has taught some of them.

"We're quite inextricably linked with the guys underground."

He said some of the families were prepared for the reality that their sons, brothers, husbands and uncles were not coming home because they knew the dangers of coal mining.

"Others have held hope and not really understood the reality. But I think they've all come to the same conclusion [today]."

Mr Whittall recently took over as chief executive of the West Coast coal mine.

Thrust into the public eye as the face of the rescue, his face grew more haggard each day.

He had to explain why rescuers could not go into the mine to get them out.

His concern for his employees was absolutely genuine, there was no doubt.

When the names of the trapped miners were first read out to journalists by district police chief Gary Knowles, Mr Whittall slumped, face falling, overcome with emotion.

"I know all of the men. I've employed all of the men. When I look down the list, I can see the faces of everyone on the list," he said.

Earlier yesterday, he said he still hoped to see them again. His hopes too, were crushed.

Before his appointment as chief executive, Mr Whittall was general manager of mines, responsible for all operational aspects of the business.

He has managed underground coal mines in Australia, and holds a bachelor's degree in engineering (mining) and a masters in business administration.