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Gleision deaths: Mine manager tried to revive workers Gleision deaths: Flood water was 'way out of control'
(about 3 hours later)
The manager of a mine where four workers drowned following an explosion tried to revive two of his colleagues before he escaped, a court heard. Water which flooded a mine killing four workers was "way out of control" and engulfed everyone it its path, Swansea Crown Court has been told.
Malcolm Fyfield told Det Sgt Huw Griffiths he gave Gleision workers David Powell and Philip Hill mouth-to-mouth, but there was no response. Malcolm Fyfield told police he jumped away to avoid it but was dragged in and swept through Gleision drift mine.
He then managed to drag himself out of the water and escaped through an old roadway, Swansea Crown Court heard. He told officers the men had done a test drill to check for water before starting work, but the amount that came through was "absolutely minimal".
Mr Fyfield and owners MNS Mining Ltd deny manslaughter charges.Mr Fyfield and owners MNS Mining Ltd deny manslaughter charges.
David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, all died in the mine when 650,000 gallons of water gushed into the area they were working in September 2011.David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, all died in the mine when 650,000 gallons of water gushed into the area they were working in September 2011.
Mr Griffiths told the court Mr Fyfield phoned him on 8 October 2011 saying he was anxious to talk about what had happened and he would not be able to "move on" until he had been interviewed. In police interviews shown to the jury, Mr Fyfield said the men could hear water flooding into the mine 15 seconds after they set off explosives to expose coal.
Mr Fyfield told him he suffered a small break to his left hand and was bruised and swollen as a result of a "near-drowning experience". "None of us expected the amount of water that came through that hole because I had previously inspected the other side," Mr Fyfield told the police.
He said he found Mr Powell's body underground but was unable to move him because of the debris. "We had predrilled it to see if there's water there and the amount of water that came through was absolutely minimal."
'Extremely distraught' 'Distressed and distraught'
The former mine manager told Det Sgt Griffiths he attempted to resuscitate his colleague but there were no signs of life. The rushing water knocked his colleagues to the floor and pushed them past him.
He then found Mr Hill's body around timber posts. He tried to revive him but he was "completely limp", the court was told. Mr Fyfield said he pictured the faces of his family as he was dragged into the heavy flow and began breathing in water, the court heard.
Det Sgt Huw Griffiths told the court Mr Fyfield phoned him on 8 October 2011 saying he was anxious to talk about what had happened and would not be able to "move on" until he had been interviewed.
Mr Fyfield told him he had suffered a small break to his left hand and was bruised and swollen as a result of a "near-drowning experience".
He explained how he had found Mr Powell and Mr Hill's bodies underground and tried to resuscitate them but there were no signs of life.
Det Sgt Griffiths said Mr Fyfield went on to talk about the mine and told him there were doubts about the validity of the underground plans of the pit.Det Sgt Griffiths said Mr Fyfield went on to talk about the mine and told him there were doubts about the validity of the underground plans of the pit.
Mr Fyfield was arrested on 18 October 2011. When officers arrested Mr Fyfield on 18 October 2011 he was "extremely distressed and distraught" and "physically shaking and sobbing", the jury was told.
Officers searched his house and he was "extremely distressed and distraught" and "physically shaking and sobbing", the jury was told.
But Det Sgt Griffiths agreed with Mr Fyfield's defence barrister, Elwen Evans QC, that he wanted to help police the best he could.But Det Sgt Griffiths agreed with Mr Fyfield's defence barrister, Elwen Evans QC, that he wanted to help police the best he could.
The trial continues.The trial continues.