Hugs and tears as Prime Minister meets with families of Pike River mine victims

May 3, 2019

The setback came as re-entry was scheduled to begin today.

Hugs were shared and tears were shed at the entrance to Pike River Mine today, as the Prime Minister met with families who faced another set back after today's re-entry was delayed. 

More than 100 family members of those lost at Pike River, along with Jacinda Ardern and mining officials gathered for a ceremony at the mine where the re-entry was meant to take place today.

It was announced yesterday that re-entry into the Pike River mine drift was delayed due to the detection of heightened oxygen levels. Twenty-nine men died in November 2010 after two methane blasts tore through the mine.

Despite safety concerns suspending the operation the Prime Minister was among those at the site.

Sonya Rockhouse, who lost her son Ben, spoke at the entrance. "As we all know [re-entry] is not happening today, but it's going to happen very, very soon."

She made a mention of deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, thanking him for his support. 

"This was the first politcian that was willing to take a chance on the Pike River families, until then, nobody would listen. But he did."

Anna Osborne, who lost her husband Milton, told those at the entrance, "we stand here today sharing a common bond".

"No-one we asked for but through the common loss of our beloved men and boys who were killed needlessly in their workplace."

Yesterday, Ms Ardern told media "safety has to come first".

When asked if she could confirm re-entry would go ahead, Ms Ardern said, "I’m going to rely on experts conveying that kind of information to the families".

"It is no doubt deeply upsetting having a delay like this, because these families have waited so long."

"But they were always very quick to say re-entry must be a safe re-entry, safety must come first and that's what's taking priority here."

Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little said there had been "unexpected and unexplained readings" recorded by atmospheric monitoring systems.

A search crew was due to enter the drift tomorrow, but that won’t happen, Andrew Little said.

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