Pike River miner may have survived initial blast

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Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:31p.m.

By Elizabeth Puranam

The families of the men who died in the Pike River mine disaster have been told at least one of the miners might have survived the first blast.

Police say new information shows an image of what may be a fully clothed body lying in the mine.

The finding has renewed calls from the families and the Greymouth community to recover the bodies of their loved ones.

The families' spokesman, Bernie Monk, says they were devastated when they were told of the video, which also shows signs that rescue equipment had been opened.

"The receivers obviously are running out of money. And they're not interested in getting our guys out," Mr Monk says. "I'm asking the Government and the police to get our guys out."

And the pain doesn't end there for the families. The royal commission on the tragedy has also announced it is delaying its start by seven weeks to July.

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Comments

06 May 2011 05:29p.m.

kerimarie1 wrote:

I always knew that some of the Men were still alive after the 1st blast and that if the Mine Team and NOT the Police had been in charge, a rescue would have happened before the 2nd blast (the window of opportunity - as stated by overseas experts) and mens lives would have been saved. I believe firmly that this time of waiting for the families is cruel and not necessary. The Government needs to get those men out NOW! Stop pussyfooting around John Key and be a REAL MAN!

29 Apr 2011 05:32p.m.

V. Comber wrote:

Rubbish - I believe a lot of those men were still alive down there before and after the 'blast' And I cant believe that nothing was done to retrieve the bodies- I also wonder why the mine rescue team was not put in charge of the rescue, I am most assured that had they been, lives would most definately would have been saved

29 Apr 2011 01:34p.m.

Dratsab wrote:

Or may be he didn't survive the blast. Maybe he opened the box before the blast because he realised something was seriously wrong and wanted to do something about it?