ALBUM - REMEMBRANCE SERVICE. 2006,2007 and 2017 - STRONGMAN MINE DISASTER,19 January 1967

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Description Nineteen men were killed instantly in the Strongman State Coal Mine near Runanga at 10.10 a.m. on Thursday 19 January 1967. A giant explosion swept through Green’s Dip, flinging miners in all directions.

A miner who rushed to the surface brought the first news of the tragedy. He was completely covered with black grit but was otherwise unhurt. He had been caught only in the fringe of the explosion.. The first four bodies were brought out at 1.00 p.m. and the rescue attempt continued all night and the next day.

Eleven more bodies were recovered during this time and most had died as the result of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is always present after an explosion. The rescue workers entering the mine on the second day were met by a wave of heat as a fire had broken out in the section. Two bodies were brought out three weeks later but two could not be reached and were entombed in the sealed section of the mine.Date of Photo2006 - 2017Map^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)Coast RoadOrganisation (eg business)Strongman MineEventREMEMBRANCE SERVICE. 2006,2007 and 2017 - STRONGMAN MINE DISASTER,19 January 1967

Category Information

Category TagCoal Mining

From Facebook

Date Created12th September 2024CommentsNick Bennett
My grandfather James (Big Jim) Reid was killed in the Strongman in 1956. My Uncle Nugget Reid worked in that mine for a lifetime. Such stoic men and women on the Coast.

Sue Trukawka
Nick Bennett You're Uncle was my Uncle too

Chris Bennett
Sue Trukawka hi sue,chris bennett here...nicks brother...are you gregs cousin on naomis family side?...xc

Nick Bennett
Sue Trukawka that's great to connect. Greg and I talk every week. He is my little brother and an important part of our family.

Julian Toon
having lost my only nephew in pike i have to say these were great people to risk there lives to get these miners out ,
my heart goes out to all these people who lost there loved ones

Lucretia Ahpene
My grandad Cyril Hector got an award for rescuing people that day. He ran in straight away and pulled men out before gases built up and exploded again.

Dinelle Gerrard
Lucretia Ahpene is his son named after him? Loved Mrs hector lived a few houses from me growing up on ward st beautiful lady I'd carry her shopping home from the bus stop fr her

Lucretia Ahpene
Dinelle Gerrard yes my uncle Cyril Hector! That’s so lovely, Joan Hector was my grandma and everyone loved her so much and still upsets me she’s no longer here. She lived to 93 though

Josephine Wesley
Remember that awful day like it was yesterday.....so sad.
Heart goes out to all the families that lost there loved ones.

Nick Bennett
My grandfather James (Big Jim) Reid was killed in the Strongman in 1956. My Uncle Nugget Reid worked in that mine for a lifetime. Such stoic men and women on the Coast.

Lynette French
My dad Jack Johns , miss him every day.

Glenys McNee
I remember that day too. My Dad - Bill Mundy - was working in the section next door to Greens Dip. We waited for hours to see if he was coming home. He lost a lot of friends that day and would never talk about it.

Sue Trukawka
Yes .... it never leaves you .Not a day goes by that you don't think of him in some way .
We have always had a young Dad..., he never got any older.36 forever

RIP Johnny Trukawka
(Johnny the Pole)

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