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Three treated after Aberpergwm mine incident | Three treated after Aberpergwm mine incident |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Two men have been taken to hospital and another treated for shock after a collapse at a mine. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. It is now owned by American firm Walter Energy. | It closed in 1985 but reopened a year later under private ownership. It is now owned by American firm Walter Energy. |
Neath MP Peter Hain said any injury to any miner was a cause for concern. | 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. | "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. | "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. | "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." | "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". | 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". | 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. | "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." | "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." |
In a statement, colliery owners Walter Energy said: "At around 2.30 this morning an incident occurred underground, where three workers were injured. | |
'Safely' | |
"Emergency services were immediately contacted to assist and attended the site. The three workers were all brought to the surface safely. | |
"One worker had a minor injury and was assessed on site by the ambulance service, and has since gone home. | |
"One worker had minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, but has since been discharged. | |
"The third worker has been taken to hospital where his injuries are currently being assessed. All families have been informed." |