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Three treated after Aberpergwm mine incident | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two men have been taken to hospital and another treated for shock after a collapse at a mine. | |
It took an hour to rescue the men from the Aberpergwm colliery near Glynneath, Neath Port Talbot, using an underground lift system. | |
A trench is believed to have collapsed at around 03:06 GMT, three to four miles underground. One man suffered back injuries. | |
Neath MP Peter Hain said the US-owned mine had an "admirable" safety record. | |
Two men were taken to Morriston Hospital but are not believed to be seriously injured. | Two men were taken to Morriston Hospital but are not believed to be seriously injured. |
"Three people were released, there were two casualties who were taken to hospital," a Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade spokeswoman said. | "Three people were released, there were two casualties who were taken to hospital," a Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade spokeswoman said. |
"The third person was released after receiving treatment at the scene." | "The third person was released after receiving treatment at the scene." |
Fire and rescue crews stood by with lighting equipment and gave assistance until receiving the order to stand down at 05:58. | Fire and rescue crews stood by with lighting equipment and gave assistance until receiving the order to stand down at 05:58. |
The incident follows the deaths of four men at the Gleision mine - 14 miles away in the Swansea Valley - in September. | The incident follows the deaths of four men at the Gleision mine - 14 miles away in the Swansea Valley - in September. |
David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, died after they became trapped in the mine which was engulfed by water on 15 September. | David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, died after they became trapped in the mine which was engulfed by water on 15 September. |
A miner was also rescued last month from the Unity pit, just over a mile away from Aberpergwm, after he became trapped under rubble following a small roof collapse. | A miner was also rescued last month from the Unity pit, just over a mile away from Aberpergwm, after he became trapped under rubble following a small roof collapse. |
He was not seriously injured. | He was not seriously injured. |
Aberpergwm is believed to employ around 230 people and to have coal reserves of around 6.8m tonnes. | Aberpergwm is believed to employ around 230 people and to have coal reserves of around 6.8m tonnes. |
It first opened in the late 19th Century, and at its height during the 1930s more than 1,500 men were employed there. | |
It closed in 1985 but reopened a year later under private ownership. | |
The mine, which is believed to have coal reserves of around 6.8m tonnes, is now owned by American firm Walter Energy and employs around 230 people. | |
Neath MP Peter Hain said any injury to any miner was a cause for concern. | |
"This latest incident is endemic in mining, which is a risky activity," he said. | |
"However, it cannot be compared to the tragic disaster which occurred in Gleision. | |
"Against the backdrop of Gleision people may be understandably more concerned but Aberpergwm is a modern and efficient mine. | |
"Its safety record is admirable and the mine is employing and recruiting more and more people every year." | |
Mr Hain said he would be "very concerned" if the Gleision tragedy cast a dark shadow over mining in his constituency, where "400 people are employed in highly skilled jobs". | |
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said she was concerned another mining accident had occurred in Neath Port Talbot within "such a short space of time". | |
"I want to satisfy myself that this government is taking every possible action it can," she added. | |
"My heart goes out to the families of the men who have been injured this morning and I am relieved there was no loss of life." |