Investigations following mining fatality

Investigations will be undertaken after a miner was killed on the job yesterday.

Forty-seven-year-old miner Bernie Green died yesterday when he was buried under rockfall while working 800 metres down a shaft at the West Coast mine near Blackball.

Engineering Union Secretary Andrew Little says investigations will be undertaken by the mine's owner, safety inspectors and possibly the police. He says the union's key concern is to see that the investigations are thorough and any wrongdoing or failure is addressed.

Mr Green was a father of five, a former kiwi league player and popular Greymouth identity. His wife Rose, is a community constable in Greymouth.

His death has brought back sad memories for the widow of another miner, Robert McGowan, who was killed six months ago when the Tiller Mine north of Greymouth flooded.

Valma McGowan says Mr Green was a lovely person who was highly regarded by the West Coast community. He was a member of the rescue team that helped to recover her husband's body. Mrs McGowan says she appreciated his efforts and it breaks her heart to see his family going through the same tragedy that she has suffered.

- NEWSTALK ZB