Thirty years after an underground explosion on the Westray Mine in Plymouth, N.S., heartache lingers for households left behind, though some say the catastrophe ought to now not outline the lives of the lads who died.
Damian Quick's father was one among 26 males killed within the tragic explosion on the morning of Could 9, 1992.
Damian was solely seven years outdated on the time, however he says the recollections of that day nonetheless follow him.
"I bear in mind getting up and my mother was, she was upset, and I did not actually know what was happening," he says.
"She informed me there was an accident on the mine, and naturally at that time, we did not know what had occurred or if all people was OK or not."
Damian's father, Romeo Quick, died after a methane gasoline leak ignited coal mud and triggered an enormous explosion deep within the mine. He was 35.
The Westray explosion is taken into account one of many deadliest mining disasters in Canadian historical past.
There have been no survivors. In whole, 26 males who have been working underground on the time of the explosion misplaced their lives.
Crews spent six days trying to find our bodies, and 15 have been recovered, however 11 our bodies have been by no means discovered.
Damian says his father, who was from Newfoundland, began working on the Westray Mine in September 1991. It was his father's first time working in a coal mine.
"He went there to work. He was a traditional man, you recognize. He loved his time without work. He loved hanging out together with his household and doing his factor," says Damian. "Only a regular, chilled-out man."
His father's physique was one of many 15 recovered from the mine. He was laid to relaxation in Triton, N.L., the place he was initially from.
Holly Anne Feltmate's household additionally misplaced a liked one within the tragedy. Her father, Roy Feltmate, was one among 11 males who have been by no means recovered from the mine. She says and not using a grave, closure is tough.
"My father was by no means discovered, so it was type of exhausting for me the final 30 years. If I had a spot to go to, it most likely would have been lots simpler for me," she stated.
For the reason that tragedy, Damian says he has realized to dwell life to the fullest -- one thing he encourages others to do as effectively.
"Benefit from on a regular basis since you by no means know the way a lot time you have got left, or how a lot time your family members have left, so, simply seize the second.”
Damian additionally needs the descendants' tragic deaths now not outline them.
"They have been all simply regular guys, who, on the finish of the day, have been in an economically depressed space throughout an economically depressed time, when it was exhausting to get by," he stated. "They have been simply making an attempt to offer for his or her households, and that is it they usually have been killed due to it."
A particular service commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Westray Mine catastrophe will happen on the Westray Miners Memorial Park in New Glasgow, N.S., at 7 p.m. Monday.
CTV Information can be livestreaming the occasion.
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