Bring Home the Didcot Three: Families Demand Action
Didcot, Oxfordshire – Families of three missing power station workers staged a heartfelt protest outside the Didcot A Power Station, calling for urgent action to rescue the trapped men.
Families Plead for Rescue as Loved Ones Remain Missing
The families, who travelled from Rotherham and South Wales, criticised authorities for their slow response. Police allowed them brief visits inside the power station, but the workers – Mick Collings, Christopher Huxtable, and Ken Cresswell – are still nowhere to be found.
“We feel abandoned. We have been left in the dark about the search. Our loved ones are buried under tons of debris after half the building collapsed, and we are no closer to bringing them home.” – Ken Cresswell’s daughter
Speaking from the scene, the family said: “You see babies being carried out of disaster rubble on the news, yet emergency services can’t get our men out. It’s disgusting and shameful.”
Collapsed Boiler House Traps Workers
The tragedy struck during demolition work on the defunct Didcot A Power Station. A main beam had been cut and weakened, causing a bow in boiler house two. Attempts to re-weld a steel cross member failed, triggering the collapse.
Five people were injured, and over 47 suffered from dust inhalation in the chaos. More than 100 rescue workers launched an overnight operation that ended without success.
Families Furious Over Lack of Communication
Ken Cresswell’s wife, Gail, blasted the lack of updates. “Nobody told me this had happened. I only found out from the TV news. That’s how much I’ve been let down,” she said outside the power station gates.
“We are down here today because nobody will listen to us. Our men have been trapped for three weeks, and not a piece of rubble has been moved. It is disgusting and enough is enough.” – Gail Cresswell
Safety Concerns Hold Up Rescue
Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have declared the site unsafe until a secure recovery plan is approved. Thames Valley Police and the HSE are waiting for site owner RWE to submit a “safe method of working.”
A joint statement said: “Once this is received and approved, emergency services are ready to recover the missing men. Preparations will continue through the weekend.”
RWE is conducting an independent stability assessment. The company acknowledged the “impact this uncertainty has on the families” and pledged to meet with them next week once more information is available.
The families remain resolute, refusing to give up hope and demanding justice for the trapped workers.
