Latest from Accidents

Blast fireball may have made mine a furnace, says scientist

A scientist says temperatures inside the Pike River mine may have soared higher than 1200C during the blast.

'Business as usual' for area's schools

Hoping for best while preparing for worst

Seventy-two hours on, mining officials and police have conceded they are preparing for the worst.

The boy down the mine

The day before he went down the mine for the first time, Joseph Dunbar turned 17.

Inquiry important, but not today - PM

<i>Editorial:</i> Families sorely tested as vigil enters day five

Blast fears slow drilling

Drilling on a new borehole into the Pike River coal mine is in its final stages, with 20m of the 162m tunnel to go.

Pike River disaster a 'rerun' of 1986 horror

An Aussie mine expert recalls when rescuers were within metres of 12 trapped miners, only to be recalled due to "off the chart" gas readings.

Boy, two, run over in driveway

A two-year-old Gisborne boy is in a critical but stable condition in Starship Children's Hospital after being run over by a car in a driveway.

Pike River mine crisis: Five things you need to know (Day 4)

If you haven't got time to read all our in-depth coverage of the Pike River Mine disaster, here's a quick summary of five key things you need to know today.

'I hope they all walk out' - trapped miner's father

The families of the trapped miners are holding onto hope that their loved ones will emerge alive.

Police name trapped Pike River miners

Police have officially named the 29 miners trapped in the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast since Friday.

Robot could make mine more dangerous - Pike River

Pike River says equipment such as robots could create sparks in a gaseous environment.

Hit-and-run victim's son speaks

West Coast 'in limbo' ahead of rescue - Mayor

Testing of gas levels in the Pike River mine continued overnight, but the mine is still deemed too dangerous for a rescue attempt to be mounted.

Gas buildup may be to blame - experts