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Published: 7:04AM Wednesday November 24, 2010 Source: NZPA/ONE News
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Source: ONE News -
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The initial samples of gas that escaped from a bore-hole drilled into the Pike River coal mine this morning have showed high levels of toxic gases and police have warned they may never reach zero.
Superintendent Gary Knowles said the gas samples were "off the limit" and "you may never get a zero reading".
He added at a media conference this morning: "It is a very unstable environment and currently it is not safe to go underground. It may never reach that point, but if it does, rest assured we are ready."
Questioned as to whether he meant there may never be a rescue, he said: "No, I didn't say that, what I said is it is a long journey."
Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall said drilling broke through into the mine tunnel this morning, and the first samples showed the air was high in carbon monoxide and methane. He said it was also very low in oxygen.
This was expected, but was not the news that families of the 29 miners missing there wanted to hear, he said.
"All I am going to say is that the information we received is that the samples are off the limit, the environment is still unstable, it is unsafe."
He said it was not appropriate to send rescue teams underground at this time.
The 162m bore, which was started on Sunday, hit a 5m-wide roadway in the mine about 7am and was met by a reasonable flow of warm air, Whittall said.
Rushed
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee earlier said hot gas rushed out of the mine when the drill finally broke through the rock this morning.
"It had hot gas rushing up it and a lot of hot air as well," Brownlee said.
"It will give a very good picture of what the gas state is in the mine and also the heat state. They are looking for a heat source.
"It is very significant information to the rescue planning," he said.
Brownlee also confirmed fresh air had been confirmed along the 2.2km of mine portal tunnel which gives access to the coal seam and mine working area.
Brownlee said engineers were piecing together data from inside the mine.
"What they do know is if they have another explosion that is caused by anything they do stupid, any chance of survival is gone, and quite possibly those involved in rescue as well.
"What they know is there is breathable air up the top of the tunnel. Beyond that there is considerable gas."
Drilling into the mine tunnel has been going on since Sunday evening. The bore-hole should now enable better testing of air samples for toxic gases in the mine.
Whittall said samples would now be taken at 15 minute intervals and a more detailed analysis would commence.
Camera
A camera has been sent down the bore hole, but the images it is sending back are black and grainy.
It had been anticipated the bore-hole would be completed some time last night, however hard rock had made the drilling difficult.
Whittall said they would start drilling a second hole as soon as possible, however it had changed location slightly since yesterday.
The news comes as police confirmed that the first robot which yesterday broke down in the Pike River mine was restarted this morning - but has since run out of battery power.
A second army robot is making its way into the mine.
The first robot sent into the entrance tunnel has found a helmet belonging to injured loader driver Russell Smith.
The light on the helmet is still going almost six days after the explosion. This was heartening news, Whittall said.
The first robot travelled a distance of 1km up the mine tunnel, before stopping. Whittall said experts are now reviewing footage from the first robot to establish exactly what has been seen.
Bobcat-sized robot
A third Bobcat-sized robot has arrived in Hokitika this morning from Australia.
That robot is purpose-built to traverse dangerous terrain, gather video and audio, detect dangerous gases and act as a two-way communication device.
It is being transported to the Pike River mine this morning.
Whittall said the Australian robot would be tested and then deployed later today.
A fourth robot, from America, will be shipped to Greymouth by Air New Zealand at 7.15am tomorrow morning.
Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn told TV ONE's Breakfast this morning that families and the West Coast community are hanging on to hope despite the grim situation for their loved ones.
He said families were subdued and in need of reassurance.
"It's starting to affect them now, they are losing their strength, but we're holding together. We just want someone to tell us if they are dead or alive.
"We know we are loosing hope now, but unless someone shows us otherwise, we are hanging on to all hope."
Frustration
Whittall believes most families understand why it is too dangerous for rescuers to go in get the 29 trapped miners.
He said while there are still a number of families who are obviously frustrated and struggling to come to terms with the decision-making process from the Emergency Services.
But, he says there is a very large understanding amongst the group.
Knowles said he understood the frustration and anger in the community, but the rescuers were working as a team and making decisions on expert advice.
He defended the decision not to enter the mine straight after blast.
It has also been reported that a split is developing amongst the families.
Some have vented anger and frustration over the rescue operation, particularly in the wake of blast footage released yesterday.
Others, including the family of 21-year-old Benjamin Rockhouse, are keeping the faith.
His aunt Margo Mainwaring said the police and mine company have been amazing. She said she has seen locals abuse the media but stepped in herself to intervene.
Mainwaring said if the media keeps telling the story the focus will remain on the recovery.
Brother of Ben, Daniel Rockhouse, who walked out of the mine alive on Friday, told ONE News that he is happy with the way that things are progressing.
He said that he understands it is an extremely tough job and does not want to put other lives at risk, and knows that everyone is doing their best.
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