A FORMER Barnsley miner who moved to Australia 13 years ago has been badly-affected by floods that have swamped an area the size of France and Germany.
Neil Whittaker lives in Rockhampton, the city worst hit by the floods. He works in a mine in an inland town called Emerald, which has been closed because it is underwater.
Neil’s home in Emerald was flooded but his Rockhampton house escaped damage, said his brother Ian. “He’s safe but can’t get to work because it is a wasteland of water. His place out there is up to the doors in water,†said Ian.
“He says it’s really bad and there are a lot of people worse off than him.â€
Neil, formerly of Preston Avenue, Jump, was a fitter at Houghton Main Colliery and was heavily involved in the 1984 to 1985 miners’ strike.
He used to join picket lines across the coalfield and was at the Orgreave coking plant when there was a fierce confrontation between police and striking miners. Neil lives in Australia with his partner Steph Briggs, formerly of Wombwell.
The picture, taken by Neil, shows the extent of the flooding.
