WorkSafe New Zealand trial to start this week over deadly 2019 White Island volcanic eruption

On the eve of a trial in New Zealand over the deadly 2019 White Island volcanic eruption that killed 22 and injured 25, an Aussie mum shares her desperate grief over the loss of her son Jason.

A WorkSafe New Zealand trial over the tragic 2019 Whakaari-White Island volcanic eruption that claimed the lives of 22 people and injured 25 gets underway in Auckland this week.

The judge-only trial is expected to last about four months and is due to start on Monday about 12.15pm (AEST time).

On December 9, 2019 groups of tourists arrived by boat to White Island, when the volcano erupted, killing 22 people, including 17 Australians and leaving 25 others with horrific injuries.

Australian woman Karen Griffiths lost her son Jason who suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body. Mr Griffiths, who lived on the NSW mid-north coast, was 33.

Ms Griffiths told 7NEWS of the heartbreak that hasn’t dimmed in the years since the disaster.

“There’s a massive hole, it’s a hole that will never be filled,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for my husband, remaining children and my grandkids I wouldn’t be here today – I’d have gone with Jason in a heartbeat.”

Karen Griffiths lost her son Jason Griffiths (pictured) after he died of his injuries following the White Island Volcano disaster in New Zealand. Picture: 7NEWS

Ms Griffiths will not be travelling to Auckland for the trial that alleges health and safety failings from six defendants relating to the deadly eruption.

“It’s just something that I want to be over, it’s taking forever … it’s a nightmare that I’m not waking up from, it just continues and continues,” she told 7NEWS.

Karen Griffiths lost her son Jason Griffiths after he died of his injuries following the White Island Volcano disaster in New Zealand. Picture: 7NEWS

The grieving mum wants a permanent memorial to the victims of the eruption.

“He was only 33 years old when he died. He had a lifetime left and they stole it all,” she said.

Last week, Volcanic Air Safaris Limited, Kahu NZ Limited and Aerius Limited pleaded guilty to amended charges relating to the health and safety failings.

On Friday, WorkSafe Chief Executive Phil Parkes said in a statement that six parties had now pleaded guilty to health and safety failings related to operations around White Island.

“The survivors, and the family and whānau of those who passed, will be in many people’s thoughts today,” Mr Parkes said.

“Whakaari was an absolute tragedy, and we remember everyone who was impacted. These pleas acknowledge the processes that should have been in place to look after people’s health and safety on the day Whakaari erupted.”

In June, White Island Tours Limited pleaded guilty to charges laid under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, related to their tour operations at the island.

“The significance of these pleas can’t be understated. The survivors and the families of those tourists and workers who died or were seriously harmed will carry this impact for the rest of their lives. They are always at the front of our minds,” Mr Parkes said in a statement.

“We hope the decision of White Island Tours will provide some assurance to the survivors and family and whanau of those who passed that those who had a duty to ensure their safety and failed to do so are being held to account.”

A screen shot from a survivor's phone footage of the White Island Volanco disaster in New Zealand. Picture: 7NEWS

Of the 22 people who died, 19 were customers of White Island Tours and two were employees.

At the time of the eruption there were three White Island Tours boats either at the island or returning from the island.

“WorkSafe charged White Island Tours in relation to its failure to conduct adequate risk assessments and implement controls to ensure risk of serious injury and death to tourists and workers was reduced,” said Mr Parkes.

“White Island Tours has also acknowledged it failed to ensure tourists were fully informed of the hazards and risks associated with visiting Whakaari before taking them there.”

This handout file photograph released courtesy of Michael Schade and taken on December 9, 2019 shows the volcano on New Zealand's White Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted. Picture: Handout / Michael Schade / AFP

The island has been closed to visitors since the 2019 eruption, however in December last year, a group that included victims’ families, a survivor and a helicopter operator who rescued people on the day, went to there to lay a plaque.

Originally published as WorkSafe New Zealand trial to start this week over deadly 2019 White Island volcanic eruption