**The Official Australia & NZ Chat Thread** (best, Australian)

[artemis agrotera]

Originally Posted by Vichel

Apparently they've sourced one from Perth here, from our Water Corporation. It's designed to go down pipes, hopefully more water-proof than the last one which short-circuited when it got wet. Wishing them the very best that it does the job and finds them all alive.

I saw that this morning.

From reports on the Age it's not looking too flash

"A machine drilling a small vertical bore broke through this morning but released a jet of hot air and toxic gas up the shaft, further eroding hopes of rescue teams entering the Pike River coalmine."

Drill breaks through to NZ mine, but rescue teams may never enter

the air is high in carbon monoxide and low in oxygen...

[HairyandScary]

I'm not sure if I'm reading it right, but are they actually trapped?

Some of the news reports I have been reading are a little vague
Is it just the Dangerous gases that are keeping the rescuers from entering?
So its not that there are rocks blocking the actual shafts? You could just walk in?
Those gases must be really explosive to keep them out that long, whats it now been...5 days.

I feel for the families, this must be so frustrating that they can't do anything
I know one is just a 17yo kid, if I was the father you would be temped to don a mask and go in by yourself. To hell with the consequences

[artemis agrotera]

I think they're trapped.

They said the explosion went for 50-odd seconds and that miners were working in different parts.

I think the gases are the biggest hurdle - they can't send people into that air.

Its so sad -if the air is really that bad, I can't see this ending well. Still hopeful though.

[cushla]

Just heard second blast in the mine no hope of survivors. This is very sad news. My thoughts are with the families.

[artemis agrotera]

I just saw the same.

Horrific.

So sad, thoughts with the families.

[ChesterNZ]

This is like a repeat of the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in the US earlier this year in which 29 people were also killed.

I heard one of the deceased has just turned 17 and was on his first day on the job when the explosion occured. It's really terrible.

[HairyandScary]

Terrible News, no hope now

[artemis agrotera]

Ok! Come on Aussies.
Bring those Ashes back.

(well, figuratively anyway!)

[HairyandScary]

Looking good, England all out for 260. Siddle got a hat-trick!

[artemis agrotera]

I know! Ended up with 6 for.....

I let all my nsw colleagues know, that the Victorian that "their" selectors didn't want got the job done.
Hope they awakened something in him....

Now the batters have gotta deliver