Aberfan disaster survivor Jeff Edwards 'honoured' to receive OBE

This story contains upsetting details that some may find distressing Aberfan disaster survivor Jeff Edwards said it was "a great honour and a privilege" to be presented with his OBE by King Charles. The then eight-year-old was one of 240 pupils at Pantglas Junior School when a coal waste tip came crashing down a hillside, engulfing the school and surrounding homes, nearly 60 years ago. On that day - Friday 21 October 1966 - 116 children and 28 adults died in the close-knit Merthyr Tydfil community. Edwards was given his OBE for his services to fellow survivors of disasters, to charity and to the community in Aberfan in a ceremony held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. Edwards, who is the Deputy Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, was the last child to be brought out alive from the wreckage of the school. He told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that it was "absolutely wonderful" to receive the honour from the King, who he had hosted on his last visit to Aberfan when he was Prince of Wales. "He said 'nice to see you again Mr Edwards', because I've met him several times before, and he enquired as to how the wives' group were doing because he has got a favourite spot for them," he said. Edwards said he

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