'My friend was lying next to me... I was only 8 but I realised he was dead'
Four survivors of the 1966 Aberfan disaster share their traumatic childhood memories of when a coal waste tip collapsed onto schools and homes. The interviews mark the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, highlighting the lasting psychological impact on the community.
Why it matters
Commemorating historical disasters helps preserve collective memory and honors the victims and survivors of devastating industrial accidents.
'My friend was lying next to me... I was only 8 but I realised he was dead' Close Four people who were children at the time of the Aberfan disaster recall the moment when a coal waste tip collapsed on schools and homes 60 years ago.
Gerald Kirwan told BBC Newsnight he thought it was an earthquake and found his classmate unresponsive, while his other classmate Gaynor Madgwick recalled waking up to finding herself buried up to her chest in the massive slurry.
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1:53 Up Next. Aberfan falls silent to mark anniversary. Video, 00:00:32 Aberfan falls silent to mark anniversary
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