MINERS IN PERIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18218, 11 October 1922, Page 9

MINERS IN PERIL.

j —' ; m UP TO THE NECK IN COAL. "KEEP A BRAVE HEART, MY SON"." Buried uo to their necks for nearly ten hours in 200 toii3 of coal and debris, two miners of Treorchy, Glamorgan, were rescued in exciting circumstances. The men were Morgan Davies, 51, timber-man, and Jenkin Davies, 22, his son, an assistant timberman. Both worked in the Dare Pit, Cwmparc, and on Wednesday they went down the pit as usual to their work. Hardly had they begun work when the roof above them collapsed, and about 200 tons of coal and debris fell, about therq. fhey were well protected by timbering, and to this alone can be attributed- their escape from instant death. As. it was, they were pinned beneath the coal, unable to move hands or legs. Morgan Davies was up to his shoulders in coal, and all that could be seen of his son was his face and head. Rescu* parties were organised. Their task was extremely perilous, for the roof continued to collapse and coal repeatedly fell. On* of the rescuers, David Meredith, was himself partly buried, and had In be taken to the surface to have head injuries attended to. Several times considerable falls occurred when the men were partially freed. Timber Mid iron bars were fixed to provide protection from minor falls, and the digging-out process then went on apace. Both men. showed splendid fortitude. Morcan Davies encouraged his eon, who could not move even his head, with the remark : "Keep a brave heart, my son, and all -will be well." After five hours the men appeared extremely exhausted, and Dr. J. R. Armstrong and Dr. A. M. Robertson descended the pit and gave them brandy and beef tea, which were repeated at intervals. At length both men were, released. •/