Aberfan disaster photographer wishes he had never taken famous image

One of the most iconic images from the tragic Aberfan disaster continues to weigh heavily on the man who captured it. Mel Parry, then an 18-year-old photography apprentice at the Merthyr Express, was on his way to work when he unexpectedly found himself amidst the catastrophe that unfolded in the south Wales village. When a colliery spoil tip gave way, it cascaded down the hillside, engulfing the local primary school and nearby homes. This calamity resulted in the deaths of 116 children and 28 adults, leaving a deep and lasting wound on the community.

The photograph that emerged from that devastating day shows PC Victor Jones carrying eight-year-old Susan Maybank to safety, with Susan’s aunt visible to the right. Parry’s unplanned documentation of this moment gained widespread attention, yet he later expressed regret over having taken the image, ultimately leading him to leave photography behind. Despite its impact, the shot was something Parry captured almost by chance; having only one roll of film initially, he hurried to obtain more and began photographing as soon as possible after hearing news of the collapse while on a bus passing through Aberfan.

The picture was swiftly developed and sent off by Alun Michael, a young Western Mail reporter who rushed to the scene from Cardiff. Michael later recounted how Parry, unaware of the significance of the frame, wasn’t even conscious of having taken it because his camera was held upside down above his head. The image featured a limp and barefoot Susan held by her local police officer, surrounded by onlookers and rescuers, making it a poignant symbol of the disaster’s human toll. Within hours, it was published on the front page of the South Wales Echo and rapidly found its way into newspapers worldwide, earning Parry the British News Photographer of the Year award at just 18.

Despite the photograph’s acclaim, it burdened Parry with feelings of discomfort and sorrow. The tragedy struck close to home for him, as he lost two cousins in Aberfan and witnessed the harrowing rescue efforts firsthand. Reflecting on his experience, Parry has said, “It’s a tragedy and unfortunately I ended up gaining from it,” adding, “I wish I’d never taken it.” As the 60th anniversary of the disaster approaches, the image remains a defining representation of the event. Photography curator Will Troughton highlights its lasting power, noting how the composition draws viewers’ eyes along rows of stunned onlookers to the policeman’s hopeful rescue of Susan. Meanwhile, Alun Michael emphasizes the photo’s ability to convey not only the horror but also the deep sense of community pride and solidarity that emerged in the disaster’s aftermath

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