Families of missing Rotherham workers protest at Didcot site

The families of two Rotherham demolition workers have been down to the site where they were caught up in the Didcot power station collapse.

Published 14th Mar 2016

The families of two missing demolition workers from Rotherham have returned to the site where they were last seen before part of Didcot power station collapsed.

It happened almost three weeks ago on February 23rd.

Since then Ken Cresswell and John Shaw still haven't been found.

Their wives and daughters went beyond the security gates and nearer to the wreckage.

They've told us they're convinced their loved ones will be pulled from the rubble alive and are urging rescuers to speed up the search.

A peaceful protest was held at the site in Oxfordshire with many wearing yellow ribbons and t-shirts saying 'Help the Didcot 3'.

Ken's two young granddaughters had messages on the back saying 'Bring our Grandad home'.

Ken's son-in-law, Steve Hall said:

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"What people don't understand, is that there's voids in there and big boilers. If any of these have come over the top of them, then they'll be well protected, so there's no reason why they can't be still in there and well.

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"Lets just get in there and get them out. That's all we want. We know roughly where they are from statements from people who last saw them."

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The men's employer Coleman and Company has told us:

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"We share the deep frustration felt by the families of our missing friends and colleagues. We are ready to do whatever, whenever to help reunite the missing men with their loved ones."

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A joint statement's been issued on behalf of Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):

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"The priority of the multi-agency response remains the recovery of the missing men so they can be returned to their families. Specialist officers from Thames Valley Police continue to support the families at this difficult time and we are providing them with regular updates on the progress.

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"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.

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"Preparation at the site, for the recovery, is taking place and will continue over the weekend.

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"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."

A third man, Chris Huxtable from Wales, is also unaccounted for.

His friends and family also joined the protest calling for the search for them all to be sped up.