AN INQUIRY has begun into the tragic death of four miners in Wales last week. The tragedy has not only left a community in shock, but a nation reeling. Pictures were released this week of the four miners who perished after an alarm was raised last Thursday of trouble at the Gleision Colliery mine in the Swansea Valley. The shaft flooded in the mine, which trapped the four victims. Three of the seven miners working at the time managed to escape, with two of them even managing to help with the ultimately fruitless rescue mission.
Unfortunately, it was too late for Garry Jenkins, 39 and the youngest of the miners. David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62 and Philip Hill, 45 also died. Throughout the week, floral tributes have been left at the site and the stunned Swansea community has pitched in to help the families of the victims. By Monday afternoon, a fund that was set-up to help the miner’s families had already raised £50,000. Swansea City paid respect to the miners by holding an impeccably observed one-minute silence before last weekend’s 3-0 win against West Bromwich Albion, the club’s first in the Premiership. The Welsh rugby union team also dedicated their hard-fought 17-10 victory over Samoa at the Rugby World Cup to the miners.
Investigations are continuing a week on into what caused the deaths. The mine, which was privately-owned, is understood to have had problems before with flooding since it reopened in 2009. However, Swansea’s local MP Peter Hain has admitted that he received no reports of any safety fears for the mine. The tired, but brave workers may not be reacting with the adrenaline used in the efforts to help the trapped miners, but they continue to work hard in an effort for the investigation to give the answers into why such a tragedy could hit this community. Specialist equipment has been brought in to help out with the investigation.
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| TRIBUTES: Have been left near the site of the tragic deaths |
The South of Wales is popular for its mines and the Swansea area has been steeped in tradition for generations. For such a tragedy to occur has rocked Wales and has seen many open their hearts to the brave miners, who sadly couldn’t be rescued in time. Peter Hain, the chief constable for South Wales summed it up when he confirmed the deaths to media outlets last weekend;
“We’ve been humbled by the community spirit that’s been shown during this most tragic of incidents.”
My thoughts also go out to the families of the mining victims. You did Wales proud and the community is doing you proud for the immense support that is being shown in the light of such heartbreaking tragedy.
