DISASTER IN EARLY MORNING ONE HUNDRED MINERS ENTOMBED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 24 September 1934, Page 5

DISASTER IN EARLY MORNING ONE HUNDRED MINERS ENTOMBED

DESPERATE EFFORTS AT RESCUE (United Press Association—by Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 22nd September. A most serious explosion occurred early this morning at Gresford colliery, near Wrexham. One hundred men are entombed, and rescue parties are working feverishly to reach them, but so far only a few charred bodies have been recovered. The gravest fears are entertained for the entombed. Four hundred men were working in the pit when the explosion occurred at 2.30 a.m. a mile and a half from the bottom of the pitshaft. A great burst of flame followed the blast. Three hundred miners ran for their lives through the workings and safely reached the surface, hut the others were quickly surrounded by a wall of flame. Rescue parties rushed to the scene and desperately endeavoured to force their way towards the entombed men, using fire extinguishers and other appliances, stonedust and sand in efforts to extinguish the fire in the workings and make a barrier. Although equipped with gas helmets, two rescuers were overcome by the fumes and died. Others were badly gassed. Sixteen bodies have so far been recovered. Five of the entombed men escaped and two were rescued, seriously injured. Doctors and nurses were rushed to the scene and nearby hospitals prepared emergency beds. Crowds from neighbouring towns and cdllieries flocked to the pithead. The managers contemplate sealing the part of the pit affected in order that the fire will burn itself out. The colliery is a modern one, equipped with the latest plant. It is the second largest in North Wales.