Pike River 29: Gone, But Never Forgotten

"Moving forward, but never forgotten".

Those are the words from the man representing the 29 families who lost a loved one during the Pike River Mine tragedy, which occurred on this day five years ago.

A special private service will be held at the mine this morning for around 150 family members of the men who lost their lives.

Families spokesperson Bernie Monk said it's a huge day for everyone who lost a loved one.

"People have come from far and wide. I know there's a lot of people who have flown in from Australia for it and some of the families have even come back from the UK."

He said the families won't give up until somebody's finally held accountable. "People have accepted what has happened, but having no bodies, no justice and no accountability, people just can't move on."

Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn agreed the families of the Pike River 29 have faced a series of setbacks in the five years since the tragedy.

"There's really been no good news for the families, right through to the point where the recovery of the remains of those 29 men wasn't possible in the end. So, it's been a long, hard road."

He said the community has supported those most affected, in a way that is history repeating. The response from the community has been much the same as it was after the Strongman Mine disaster in 1967, he explains.

"We still commemorate that to this day, and support the families. This is very similar. There was 29 men who lost their lives five years ago and this whole town was at a standstill."

Kokshoorn will today join family members on a visit to the site to show his support.

Source: www.newstalkzb.co.nz