111 Trapped In Mine

Northern Advocate, 16 August 1947, Page 5

111 Trapped In Mine

(Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON. August 15. One hundred and eleven men are trapped in a Whitehaven coal mine after a big explosion. The trapped men arc four miles under the sea. They are in the William Pit, where an explosion killed 10 and injured others three years ago. ! The William Pit extended seven miles under Solway Firth, but after the 1944 explosion a section was sealed off and working concentrated in the nearer shaft. Some men injured by blast have been brought to the surface, but no message or signal of any sort has been received from the parties trapped beyond the explosion area. Gas and heavy falls of roof hindered rescue parties trying to reach the trapped men. Rescue teams were rushed to the William Pit from all neighbouring mines and they worked in reiays. TEN ARE SAFE Three hours after the explosion no word or message had been received from the trapped men. It is officially stated that 121 men were in the pit at the time of the explosion but 10 arc known to be safe. Harry Allen, one of the 10 saved after the explosion, was found unconscious. He was on the shaft side of the explosion and was blown clear, unhurt but badly shocked. He remembers nothing of what happened. His two sons and brother-in-law are among those trapped. The mine is Britain's oldest undersea mine.