Former journalist reflects on covering Aberfan disaster

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

A former reporter recalls covering the 1966 Aberfan disaster, where a coal waste tip collapsed on a primary school, killing 144 people.

On 21 October 1966, a coal waste tip collapsed and engulfed Pantglas Primary School in Aberfan, killing 144 people, including 116 children. The disaster occurred in a village five miles south of Merthyr when the colliery spoil tip slid from the mountain towering over the village into the school minutes after the children had arrived.

Allan George was working for the Cardiff evening newspaper, the South Wales Echo, at the time. He was sent to Aberfan the day after the disaster and recalls spending much of the following week in the village covering the story. The South Wales Echo and its sister paper the Western Mail hired a bedroom in a local pub to accommodate their team of reporters and photographers, with eight people sharing one double bed.

Reflecting on his memories 60 years later, Mr George paid particular tribute to the Salvation Army, whose kindness towards reporters covering the tragedy has stayed with him throughout his life. He said: 'I'll never hear a bad word said against the Salvation Army.'

How it is being reported

• Former Pioneer journalist reflects on covering Aberfan disaster as young reporterAllan George was living in Llantwit Major at the time and working for the Cardiff evening newspaper, the South Wales Echo.North Wales Pioneer · 21 Oct, 07:00
• Bangor journalist reflects on covering Aberfan disaster as young reporterAllan George was living in Llantwit Major at the time and working for the Cardiff evening newspaper, the South Wales Echo.North Wales Chronicle · 21 Oct, 07:00

In this story: Allan George · Pantglas Primary School · South Wales Echo · Aberfan · Salvation Army

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