Paradoxes in tragedy, Dunedin service told

The men who perished at Pike River captured the world's imagination, as well as its sympathy and sorrow, because they embodied the frightening paradox of encountering "death in the midst of life", the Bishop of Dunedin, the Rt Rev Dr Kelvin Wright, told a service to remember the miners at St Paul's Cathedral in Dunedin yesterday.

That the mine, the economic lifeblood of the Grey district, producing the high-quality hard-coking coal sought for smelters in Asia, would end the men's lives was a sad paradox.

"Within that coal seam that gave life to so many, was the death that would carry them off."

No doubt they chatted about the weekend, their families, and shared jokes on the way to the coalface, little imagining only two men on the afternoon shift would emerge, Dr Wright said.

For those who believed in life after death, there was comfort in the thought the men would meet their loved ones again, Dr Wright said.

The miners could be honoured by everybody making the utmost efforts to improve safety and ensure such an accident never occurred again, he said.

About 120 people attended the service, at which Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull gave readings.

- eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz