MP Sarah Champion condemns "shameful" delay in Didcot rescue operation

The Rotherham MP Sarah Champion met with the Government Minister responsible for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) yesterday to express her anger at the lack of action from those involved in the rescue and recovery of the men, who include Ken Cresswell from Clifton and John Shaw from Kimberworth.

The men’s families held a protest at the site of the decommissioned power station in Oxfordshire on Sunday to show their dismay at the recovery operation stalling just days after the collapse on February 23.

They held banners reading Bring Home the Didcot 3 — referring to Mr Cresswell, Mr Shaw and workmate Christopher Huxtable from Wales — and “Never give up on anybody, Miracles happen everyday”.

The HSE is awaiting a recovery plan from site owners Npower (RWE) before any further recovery can take place, but after meeting junior minister Justin Tomlinson, Ms Champion said she had been assured that this plan would be produced by today (Wednesday).

“It’s shameful that three weeks have passed without the recovery process getting underway,” said Ms Champion.

“I completely understand that we don't want to put any more lives at risk, but I refuse to believe a solution couldn't have been found sooner.

“Government must intervene and take action to make sure all of the organisations involved stop passing the buck and work together to bring these men home to their families.

“It is heart-breaking to see these families go through such pain. My heart goes out to all of them and I have given them a commitment that I will do all I can to get their loved ones back.”

One man died and and five were injured after half of the ten-storey boiler house at Didcot power station collapsed, leaving Mr Shaw, Mr Huxtable and Mr Cresswell trapped.

Mr Huxtable’s partner Jade Ali launched a petition to raise awareness of their plight, which has been signed by more then 17,000 people.

She said: “The Health and Safety Executive said its priority was to recover bodies from the rubble.

“But I feel rescuers have given up their search too early. There's still a chance Christopher could still be alive.

“As most people are aware what has happened with our loved ones please everyone please take just one minute of your time to sign this petition.

“Please get the three men out of all that rubble. We need them home.”

The funeral of keen biker Mick Collings, who died in the tragedy, took place on Tuesday, with more than 250 bikers attending to pay tribute to the man as Whitby Mick.

Thames Valley Police and the HSE said in a joint statement that their priority remained “the recovery of the missing men so they can be returned to their families”.

They added: “The site owners RWE have overall responsibility for the safety of buildings and structures on their site.

“They must produce a plan for a safe method of working before the next stage of the recovery can begin.

“Once this is received and approved by HSE, emergency services are on hand to recover the missing men.”

The statement said preparation at the site for the recovery was taking place.

“We are working hard to identify as soon as possible what caused the building to partially collapse, to provide answers and prevent such a tragedy happening again,” it added.

q Family members and friends are planning another protest this weekend and are appealing for any coach company with availability to come forward. You can contact family friend Nadia Shepperson by emailing [email protected].