Who was affected by the Strongman Mine Disaster?

Answer 1

I was a 5 year child when the disaster happened. My father was one of the miners close to where the explosion happened, he was lucky,sustaining minor injuries but the psychological trauma lived with him. he watched his best friend having coal dropped on him ( he didn't make it).

We had lived in Greymouth and we had happy times until this event. We all use to meet as family at my grandparents on a Sunday, the disaster stopped all of that. we left Greymouth very soon after the disaster and our family became and still is very disjointed.

My uncle Ronnie was one of the men who received a bravery medal.

I will always remember the men whose lives were lost with respect and honour.

The inquiry did show that there was errors made by management in opening that seam.