SHAFT REACHES MEN IN CAVE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 17

SHAFT REACHES MEN IN CAVE

Miners Saved

(N.Z.P. A. -Reuter —Copurioht) CHAMPAGNOLE (E. France), Aug. 4. Rescue workers have pierced the roof of the gallery holding the trapped miners. Drilling on the last few feet above the roof of the gallery was resumed after a halt of 45 minutes. The break • through came at 11.53 a.m. Shortly after restarting, the drill had about three feet to go to penetrate the gallery. With rescue only a matte: of hours away gendarmes riot police and soldiers took up positions around the min< and the local hospital and a’ cross-roads in the town. The Mayor, Mr Andn Socie, appealed to the popula tion “to observe calm and dignity.” At 10.20 a.m. a lorry brough the capsule to the rescut shaft, indicating that it wa' soon to be lowered. The authorities decided tha' relatives would not be allowed to greet the survivors as the? were hoisted to the surface. Men to Go Down When the escape capsule is ready to go down it will take with it a rescue worker to help the trapped men into the capsule. It will then take the first trapped miner to the surface and will return with a second rescue worker. The two rescue workers will then help the remaining eight survivors into the capsule and come up last. Morale Good The trapped men were in high spirits this morning, joking and laughing over the microphone with the rescue squad on the surface, and constantly asking how much longer they had to wait. Rescue workers gave them full details of the work as it progressed. Groups of happy, laughing relatives gathered early at the foot of the mountain waiting to be escorted to the spot where the men will be brought to the surface.