Damien  O’CONNOR

MP for West Coast-Tasman 

8 August  2013         MEDIA STATEMENT

Progress for Pike River victims’ families

All indications are that a plan to re-enter the Pike River mine to recover the bodies of the 29 men killed there should get the go-ahead, Labour MP for West Coast-Tasman Damien O’Connor says.

“A huge amount of detailed work has gone into re-entry. The Prime Minister has previously committed money and I trust the local mines rescue team to make the final decision on whether re-entry is safe.

“The plan should get approval by the Solid Energy board this month. The National Government should then proceed quickly,” Damien O’Connor says.

“The progress is welcome news for the victim’s families whom I have remained in contact with. This is a long awaited decision for the families and it will hopefully offer some emotional compensation for the huge loss they suffered.”

The remains of the men who died in the November 2010 explosion are thought to be on the other side of a large rockfall about two kilometres into the mine tunnel.

If the plan is accepted by the Solid Energy board and deemed safe by the Government's High Hazards Unit, it will be taken to Cabinet for final approval.

ENDS

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