The family of a Fife man killed in the Pike River Mine disaster has given up hope of him ever being brought home.
Malcolm Campbell, from Cameron near St Andrews, died alongside Pete Rodger from Perth and 27 others in an explosion at the mine on the west coast of New Zealand on November 19 2010.
Saturday will be the sixth anniversary of the tragedy, which left the 29 victims entombed.
Malcolm Campbell’s father, also called Malcolm, knows his son’s body will never be recovered.
But he said there could be hope for other families and he backed those who blockaded the road to the mine at the weekend ahead of plans to seal the pit for good.
He said: “Malcolm will never be recovered because he was the furthest up the mine.
“But we still need to support those who could potentially get people out of the drift.”
Bereaved families in New Zealand are trying to stop state-owned organisation Solid Energy, which owns the mine, from sealing it off.
Around 100 relatives and friends blocked the road to the site on Saturday.
They believe the last 400 metres of a 2,000 metre tunnel is safe enough to enter and search for their loved ones.
But, despite previously suggesting a recovery effort could be possible, Solid Energy has said the mine is too dangerous.
Mr Campbell, 56, said industry experts had been hopeful some victims could be recovered.
“This is one last stab in the dark, because once they seal the mine up that will be it finished.
“There is still the potential that someone could go in but the government is saying no.
“We’re 100% committed to say that Malcolm will never get out but we don’t know where a lot of other guys were.
“It was the end of a shift and people were on the move. There could be closure for other people.”
Mr Campbell and his wife Jane, 51, have kept in close contact with families in New Zealand, who help to maintain a memorial to Malcolm.
He added: “Deep down, I think there will be no outcome on this and they will go ahead and seal the mine.
“A lot of relatives are still in limbo.”
