Gleision Colliery Mine: Murky Water Thwarts Mine Rescue Bid

Murky Water Thwarts Mine Rescue Bid

Divers who entered a flooded mine to help free four trapped miners have been forced to return above ground, rescuers said.

Specialist divers went into the Gleision Colliery near Cilybebyll, Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley, where the men have been trapped since Thursday morning, but had to abandon their efforts after about 30 metres.

But rescuers remain optimistic about the welfare of the miners, named by South Wales Police as Phillip Hill, 45, from Neath, Charles Bresnan, 62, David Powell, 50, and Garry Jenkins, 39, all from the Swansea Valley.

Gary Evans of the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team said: "We brought in some divers to see whether it was possible to go through and speed things up. They went into the water to see whether any progress could be made that way, and they went about 20 to 30 metres, but they weren't able to go any further."

Rescuers had hoped the divers could assess the situation before all the water had been pumped out, but debris had made the water murky, he explained, confirming there was still no contact with any of the men but said they remained "very hopeful".

It is believed the miners, trapped 295ft (90m) underground, would have fled to an air pocket to await rescue. A fifth miner is critically ill in hospital after escaping as flood water engulfed the drift mine on Thursday. Two other men who were with him escaped largely unharmed and are aiding the rescue operation.

Police said emergency services were continuing a "multi-agency rescue operation", while the men's families were being supported by family liaison officers. Fresh rescue teams were brought in this morning to relieve crews which had worked strenuously for at least 12 hours straight.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "My thoughts are with those missing and their family and friends at this very difficult time. Every support will be given to the emergency services to ensure they continue to do all they can. In due course we must ensure we fully understand and learn from the causes of this accident."

The Wales rugby team, currently in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, expressed their concern for the miners. Speaking at the squad's training base in Lake Taupo, the team's coach Warren Gatland said: "The players and the squad are well aware of the miners that are caught back home in Pontardawe, and our thoughts are very much with the miners, their families and friends. On behalf of the squad, we want to send that support back to Wales. It is very important for us."

Mining engineer Frank Russell said he was "very, very positive" about the outcome of the rescue operation. He said the miners were experienced and "know what to do to keep themselves safe and warm", and stressed that there had been no explosion or other such "cataclysmic event".

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