…that the most important reason for making your workplace safe is not at work at all.
While we mourn the loss of 29 brave men trapped at the Pike River Mine in Greymouth, our hearts are breaking for their loved ones that are grieving and who are left behind.
Working people like you and me don’t want to be safe at work because we want to meet the ‘zero accident’ goals of the company we work for, people like us want to be safe at work because of the people who are waiting for us at home.
I want to hear my moody teenager’s customary grunt of greeting, my husband’s usual question of “what are we having for tea?” and the ever exuberant welcome from our dog, Archie.
Now 29 families in the small town of Greymouth will forever wait for their loved ones to come home and I’m afraid they never will ;-(
Such a sad, sad day for everyone here in New Zealand.
I can’t imagine the terrible loss felt by the families of the victims not just of this tragedy but of every person lost to work accidents.
A day we will never forget.
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Just a thought, if someone has the time and resources to organise it – how about all the Aussie-based Kiwi expats get-together and put in $10 or so each to help the miners’ families?
HI Anna. Shame we don’t have time to do it but it’s a great idea! x – Christine
The sadness at the tragic loss of some many lives at the Pyke River mine is immense, even though we dont personally know any of those who died or their families. The look of utter despair in the faces of partners and loved ones we saw on TV and in the newspapers is enough to bring tears to all of us. Their lives and the lives of so many others have been shattered and their world ripped apart.
For 5 days they clutched to a glimmer of hope, although I suspect they all knew the likely outcome, but couldn’t bring themselves to accept their loved ones were gone. The second massive explosion in the mine yesterday left no doubts, and there was nothing left to hold on to. All our hearts go out to the family and friends of those 29 men who lie at rest deep inside the Paparoa Ranges. We also hope that given time, they can be returned to their loved ones for a final farewell.
Tribute to Greymouth
Michael Darby 2010
The nation thanks the heroes who toil beneath the earth
Hard-working honest miners all keen to earn their worth
For every death inflicted in the light of the miner’s lamp
There’s one too many dying in the darkness and the damp
Coal powered the mighty steamships that let people roam at will
And fed the railway engines – how we love that whistle still
It’s coal that brings us power to make the whole world bright
But there’s one too many dying so we can see the light.
We thank God our Creator for the blessed gift of coal
And we thank God for the courage of every miner’s soul
We should all remember that there is a price to pay.
Honour lads lost at Pike River when we take the time to pray.
For every broken victim of an explosion far beneath
There’s one too many leaving a family crushed by grief
For every man left gasping in the methane’s deadly shroud
There’s one too many dying in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
This poem was presented to listeners to the Radio 2UE program of (New Zealander) John Kerr at 3.05am on Sunday 28 November 2010
The tragic loss of 29 lives is felt by all us kiwis, we are such a small country that most of us know one of the miners or know someone that has a connection with them. I come from Christchurch and of course we have been thanking God that we didn’t loose anyone in the earthquake but our loss and devastation is nothing compared with the devestation these families have to come to terms with.
Know that all our prayers and our support is with you and yours. I may loose my home but that can be re built I don’t know what I would do if one of my sons I have 6 or my husband was one of those lost! Know that they died with their mates and I know this is little comfort but at least they didn’t die alone.