West Coast coalminer dies despite frantic rescue effort

The West Coast was in mourning today after a coalminer trapped underground by rising waters died last night despite desperate efforts to save him.

A second miner was freed from the private Tiller's Mine, 10km from Greymouth, and taken to Grey Hospital where he was reported to be in a good condition.

The dead miner was named this morning as 39-year-old Robert James McGowan.

Greymouth police Sergeant Allyson Ealam said the men had been mine blasting when a third of the tunnel they were working in filled with water.

The pair had been working next to an old mine and the water may have come through a fault line from the old mine.

Police and Department of Labour occupational health and safety staff are investigating the accident.

Experienced miners from Greymouth-based New Zealand Mines rescue led the rescue effort.

The department's chief health and safety adviser Mike Cosman said water was still being pumped out of the mine late last night.

One of the key dangers in a New Zealand coalmine was a rush of water, a collapsing roof and spontaneous combustion, he said.

Greymouth police Senior Sergeant Clifford Paxton said the body of the miner was recovered at 2.30am today.

He said that he would be speaking to the family of Mr McGowan, who was married and lived at Runanga, 8km northeast of Greymouth, later today.

The surviving miner was believed to be well, Mr Paxton said.

He said police and Department of Labour investigation staff were back at the mine at first light today to continue investigations into the tragedy.

Mr Paxton said a preliminary interview with the 51-year-old survivor revealed the miners had let off a shot, heard the rush of water and then ran for their lives.

The man managed to find somewhere to hang on for safety above the rushing water.

The alarm was raised at 1.30pm, and the surviving miner was rescued at 7pm.

Some members of the family of the dead man waited at the mine while the rescue was attempted. 

Mr McGowan was believed to have four children.

- NZPA