Aberfan disaster hero dies age 86

Survivors’ tributes to teacher Rennie, who led pupils to safety after mountain of coal waste engulfed school and killed 144

- ADAM ASPINALL

GRIM WORK Community searches for survivors

A HERO teacher who saved children’s lives in the Aberfan disaster has died aged 86.

Rennie Williams was a 32-year-old working at Pantglas Junior School in 1966 when 150,000 tons of coal slurry from a tip slid down the mountain, engulfing the building at 9.15am.

The 240 children and nine teachers at Pantglas Junior School were waiting for lessons to begin.

As the school collapsed,144 people were killed, including 116 children and five teachers.

Gareth Jones, then six, was one of Mrs Williams’ pupils on that day.

He said: “It was the last day of term, but then the disaster struck.

“At the time, we and she didn’t know what happened.

“She put a desk against the wall by the window – and a chair on top of that – and helped many children to escape the disaster that way.

“I was one of the first ones out. I think that lady deserved a big medal for saving our lives and, personally, for saving my life. I met her again many, many years later and she was fantastic... always had time for you.”

Remembering the disaster herself in 2006, Mrs Williams said: “My room was right next to the hall.