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1892 Park Slip mine disaster remembered in Tondu | 1892 Park Slip mine disaster remembered in Tondu |
(34 minutes later) | |
A mining explosion which killed 112 men and boys near Tondu in Bridgend county has been remembered. | |
The disaster at Park Slip exactly 122 years ago is thought to have started because of a faulty miner's lamp. | The disaster at Park Slip exactly 122 years ago is thought to have started because of a faulty miner's lamp. |
The rescue effort, which continued until late the next day, saw 39 trapped and injured miners brought to the surface. | The rescue effort, which continued until late the next day, saw 39 trapped and injured miners brought to the surface. |
A service was held at a memorial at the site, now a nature reserve. | |
Historian Neville Granville's grandfather John was among the last of the men to be rescued alive. | Historian Neville Granville's grandfather John was among the last of the men to be rescued alive. |
"The explosion happened at 8.20 on the Friday morning and he was brought out just before midnight on the Saturday," said Mr Granville. | "The explosion happened at 8.20 on the Friday morning and he was brought out just before midnight on the Saturday," said Mr Granville. |
Horrible conditions | Horrible conditions |
The former Cornish copper miner, 32, went home to his wife and seven children and lived to have another five more. | The former Cornish copper miner, 32, went home to his wife and seven children and lived to have another five more. |
But 60 women were widowed and 153 children lost their fathers on 26 August 1892. | But 60 women were widowed and 153 children lost their fathers on 26 August 1892. |
"It was not something he talked much about but newspaper reports mention the horrible conditions," said Mr Granville. | "It was not something he talked much about but newspaper reports mention the horrible conditions," said Mr Granville. |
Local doctor Frederick Twist managed to reach the men below ground and, despite the risk of a further collapse, he tended the injured and stayed with them until they were all brought out. | Local doctor Frederick Twist managed to reach the men below ground and, despite the risk of a further collapse, he tended the injured and stayed with them until they were all brought out. |
"He was in his 20s and showed real courage," said Mr Granville. "He went back up only when all the men had been brought back up. He and my grandfather had a lifelong friendship." | "He was in his 20s and showed real courage," said Mr Granville. "He went back up only when all the men had been brought back up. He and my grandfather had a lifelong friendship." |
The subsequent effort to recover every person who died was relentless. | The subsequent effort to recover every person who died was relentless. |
"Everybody was eventually brought to the surface," said Mr Granville. "Fifteen of the horses that died underground were also brought out - there was only one which was too difficult to reach. That's how carefully they went about it." | |
The pit itself eventually closed in 1904 but although the disaster is not the best known it is remembered by the community, which will hold a memorial service on Tuesday to remember those who died. | The pit itself eventually closed in 1904 but although the disaster is not the best known it is remembered by the community, which will hold a memorial service on Tuesday to remember those who died. |
"It had a deep affect on this community and so it's important for us to remember," said Mr Granville. | |
WELSH MINING DISASTERS | WELSH MINING DISASTERS |
Source: www.welshcoalmines.co.uk | Source: www.welshcoalmines.co.uk |
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