No evidence from former Pike River boss

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Mon, 05 Dec 2011 8:09a.m.

Gordon Ward resigned from Pike River Coal, leaving the company on October 1

Gordon Ward resigned from Pike River Coal, leaving the company on October 1

The former chief executive of Pike River Coal, who resigned just weeks before the explosions that killed 29 men, has declined to give evidence to the Royal Commission investigating the disaster.

Gordon Ward, who resigned in October, seven weeks before the November 19 blasts, has declined to file evidence or appear before the inquiry.

Mr Ward is now working in the coal industry in Australia and the commission cannot force anyone living overseas to appear.

Instead, Pike River Coal's former chairman, John Dow, will be the first of four witnesses to give evidence in the next two weeks.

The others will be former Pike River Coal safety and training co-ordinator Adrian Couchman, former safety and training manager Neville Rockhouse and McConnell Dowell's former leading hand Albert Houlden.

On Tuesday Piker River Coal, its former chief executive Peter Whittall and contractor Valley Longwall International's in-seam drilling subsidiary, VLI Drilling, will appear in Greymouth District Court, facing 25 health and safety charges laid by the Department of Labour over the deaths.

NZN

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Comments

05 Dec 2011 06:19p.m.

Margaret wrote:

How close are our Govt's NZ and Aust? Maybe in certain circumstances, where there is question to this degree, we might want to look at some Govt offical realizing, this law or agreement has to change when its across the ditch.

05 Dec 2011 08:50a.m.

Ruth Sullivan wrote:

Gordon Ward, CEO and managing director of the company since May 2007, left Pike River Coal on October, 1 2010. Seven weeks before the explosion. Ward led Pike River from its initial concept 14 years ago through development to its second coal export shipment in September 2010, and the imminent start-up of the hydromining operations. Huh? surely this man should be a major part of the enquiry after all he was totally involved in the design,startup and development of Pike River - instead of crucifying Peter Whittall perhaps the focus should be on Gordon Ward? It seems extraordinary that he can just decline to appear.. perhaps someone can explain that?