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Following the launch of an online petition to stop the prosecution of two helicopter pilots involved in the Whakaari / White Island rescue mission, WorkSafe says it has not filed any charges in connection with the rescue and recovery mission.
New Zealand’s main workplace health and safety regulator has released a statement to clarify its position regarding the charges brought after an investigation.
Earlier this week, WorkSafe confirmed that 13 parties would face charges related to the tragedy.
Since then, an online petition called “Stop prosecution of helicopter pilots who saved lives on Whakaari / White Island” has been launched.
The petition on Change.org is addressed directly to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and concerns two helicopter pilots based in the Bay of Plenty.
Whakatane-based Kahu NZ CEO Mark Law and Rotorua Volcanic Air Chief Helicopter Director / Pilot Tim Barrow spoke this week of the charges that WorkSafe reportedly imposed on them at the gate regarding to last year’s events.
The Whakaari / White Island volcano erupted on December 9 with 47 people on the island.
Since then, 22 people have died on the island or as a result of injuries sustained during the eruption. Read here to see original images of the eruption.
Several more were seriously injured.
WorkSafe says that the actions of any helicopter company in the rescue and recovery process were outside the scope of its investigation.
“We wish to clarify that WorkSafe has not filed charges in connection with the rescue and recovery operations immediately after the Whakaari / White Island eruption in December last year.
“We have publicly stated that our investigation focused on the run-up to the eruption.
“The actions of any helicopter company in the rescue and recovery process were outside the scope of our investigation.
“We note that actions after the eruption would be subject to other procedures, including a coronary investigation.
“We also want to make it clear that WorkSafe did not impede the rescue and recovery operation.”
They have since renounced anonymity, confirming that their respective companies are among the accused.
Law and Barrow were two of the helicopter pilots who responded to the incident and have been recognized for their efforts to save lives.
The couple, along with several other commercial contractors, coordinated a rescue operation as emergency services deemed the area unsafe.
The petition was created on Change.org Thursday afternoon by Auckland’s Ned Dawson and has already received more than 30,000 signatures.
