Poisonous Gases Preventing New Zealand Mine Rescue

By Peter Fowler at 19 Nov 2010

Poisonous gases are preventing rescuers from entering a coal mine on New Zealand's West Coast where 27 miners are trapped about 120 metres underground.

Police say rescuers are concerned about air quality at the site of the Pike River coal mine explosion on the west coast of the South Island.

Police said two miners who walked to the surface earlier this evening are being treated for moderate injuries at Grey Hospital. Both men, whose ages and names are not available, are both "walking and talking".

Specialist mine rescue teams and emergency services remain at the scene, 50km north east of Greymouth. Air quality testing is being carried out because of the unknown atmospheric conditions underground.

Superintendent Gary Knowles, the Tasman Police District Commander, travelled from his Nelson Headquarters overnight to oversee the police response. Police including Search and Rescue specialists are also gathering in Greymouth and at the scene which is cordoned off to the public.

"We appreciate this is a very uncertain and worrying time for families and friends of the miners and contractors who are at the mine. We are working closely with mine officials and other emergency services to do everything we can to help with the rescue operation," Superintendent Knowles said.

An electrician went into the mine yesterday afternoon to investigate a power outage and found a loader driver who had been blown off his machine about 1500 metres into the mine shaft. The driver and another miner made their own way out.

All the trapped miners and contractors are equipped with self-rescue gear, according to the company.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known.