The Scottish families who lost loved ones in New Zealand’s worst ever mining disaster are coming to terms with a final decision ruling out a body recovery operation.
Malcolm Campbell, 25, from Fife, and colleague Peter Rodger, 40, formerly of Perth, died in the 2010 Pike River explosions and their bodies are amongst the 29 that will remain entombed in the mine.
The new mine owner’s Solid Energy, informed the families overnight that retrieving the bodies was impossible due to high levels of methane and ventilation issues which led to the initial explosion.
Solid Energy chairwoman Pip Dunphy said: “Despite our best endeavours we have been unable to reach a level of confidence that any re-entry plan can adequately protect the lives of those who would undertake the work.
“Any further loss of life in this mine is unacceptable and any possibility of other families having to go through what the Pike families have suffered is not something our board can support.”
Families spokesman Bernie Monk, whose son Michael died in the mine, acknowledged the fight to bury the bodies was finally over.
“I’ve got to start asking myself, do I want to go through another three or four years of agony.
“I want to get my guys home, but the likelihood is pretty minimal now.
“It’s my life, I’ve got to get on with my life.”
But Australian couple Rod and Christine Holling, who lost their 41-year-old son, Richard, are pleased their son’s remains will be left untouched in the mine, insisting that knowing the location of his body gave their family “closure”.