MATHILDE MEN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 23

MATHILDE MEN

‘Going Back To Pit’ (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) LENGEDE (West Germany), November 10. Bernard Wolter, spokesman for the 11 men saved from the Mathilde mine, has said: "We are going back to the pit..’’ The mine manager, Mr Rudolf Stein, says management and workers agree the mine should resume production. He said it would take four or five months to clear the pit of water and mud. The bodies of the 29 men still missing would be recovered. except where this would mean great danger for the rescue squads. The 11 rescued men—lo miners and an electrical fitter—were each allowed a glass of beer or wine last night—their first since the October 24 disaster. They had a good night's sleep in hospital, and doctors said their condition remained good. Doctors said each had lost about 10 or 12 pounds during his fortnight underground. Wolzer told journalists today: “I feel as if I had been bom again. It’s fine to be smoking, eating and drinking again.” Asked how many bottles of beer they would like to have as a welcome gift from the reporters who reported the rescue operations, Siegfried Ebeling, aged 32, said: "Forty would be all right.” Fritz Baer, aged 53, lifted a bottle of vodka which he had kept near his bed. “We're going to open this right away,’’ he said smilingly; but a doctor vetoed his plan.