It was 23 years ago Saturday that an underground explosion ripped through the Westray coal mine, killing all 26 men working below.
What feels like history for many is still fresh in the hearts and minds of the families of those miners, especially on the anniversary of the disaster.
Sara MacKay was only nine years old when her father Mike died in the explosion. On Saturday, Sara brought her dad’s fishing pole and tackle box to the memorial.
“I’m just trying to celebrate the life that he lived and enjoyed and loved. So I came by this morning to pay my respects before I go fishing, to kind of get his blessing. Hope I catch something big,” she says.
Stephen Boutilier left flowers in memory of his father-in-law Bennie Benoit at the memorial. He says he often talks to his son Coleton about the grandfather he never met.
“Just how hard of a worker he was, and brave,” says Boutilier.
Two mine managers faced 26 charges of manslaughter and negligence in the disaster, but a mistrial was declared. An inquiry report found the mine followed a predictable path to disaster, and recommended major changes to occupational health and safety legislation. The lasting legacy of the disaster is Bill C-45, also known as the Westray Bill. The amendment means that in the case of a workplace accident, companies or people with authority within those companies could be held responsible for negligence causing bodily harm.
Some who lost loved ones at Westray say more needs to be done.
“All that’s coming of it is fined, and the fines aren’t big enough,” says Allen Martin, a member of the Westray Families Group. “You have to make any crime unprofitable. There has to be a bigger stick.”
The families say their pain is still strong 23 years on.
“They say time heals all wounds. I don’t think that’s true,” MacKay says.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh
