16/09/2011 BBC Wales Today

Tonight in Wales Today: their worst fears have been confirmed - a

community is grieving the tragic death of four miners. The bodies of

the men, all local, are being recovered from the mine where they

got trapped yesterday. Police say every effort was made to try and

save them. We cannot begin to imagine what the

families of going through. If we hope they get comfort. We have had

so many messages of support from all over the world. Tonight, the

Prime Minister has paid this tribute.

It is clear the emergency services have done everything they can and

have worked incredibly hard. It is obviously a desperately sad

situation for everyone concerned. I'm here outside the community hall

where the families have been based for the past 24 hours. We're told

they are going through a living hell. This is where the news has

been broken to them. People are pulling together as the devastating

reality of what's happened is absorbed.

We feel for these people, the relatives and the miners. We are

Good evening. Welcome to Ross Community Centre. It was confirmed

that the 4th miner was recovered. Family and friends have been

waiting for news for the past 24 hours and this was then used they

had been dreading. The news was broken at a press conference. They

were told about the efforts, described as humbling. The local MP

described the news as a stab through the heart of the community.

Tonight, all thoughts are with the The 4th dead miner has been

recovered from the mine. I would like to express our deepest and

sincere condolences to the family's off Phillip Hill, David Powell,

Gethin Jenkins and Charles Bresnan. I cannot begin to imagine what they

are going through at this time. We hope they get some comfort from the

fact that we have had so many messages of support, not just from

Wales, not just the UK, but from all over the world. I have

experienced fire officers who have expressed to me, 13 years of

service, they have never worked in such conditions like they have had

to work in. I can confirm that of the four deceased miners, they were

found in close proximity to one another. One was on the exit side

of the blockage, the three recovered this afternoon were found

together in the area where they had been working. They have since been

recovered from the mine. Kenwyn Jones with -- is with me now. -- S

Elin Jones. We thought these days were behind s but we are wrong.

They hope for the best but now we know, the worst has been delivered

to them. Have you spoken to the family's today? I spoke to them at

this morning, at a point that they knew that one macro man had died. -

- one man had died. How can you explain how people are feeling in

those circumstances and Nessie have been there yourself? -- unless.

Huge support from the committee, from across the country. Will that

be of some comfort? I hope so. The community here have been fantastic.

Food and drink has been brought in. Volunteers were making cups of

coffee. There has been words of solidarity from all around the

world. The rescue services have worked very hard. They have tried

their best to get to these men. They weren't successful but it

wasn't through want of affairs. -- the Fed. You must be very proud to

of the rescue teams. Yes, we had many rescue teams there. Everybody

worked together very closely. Nobody could have done more. I want

to thank them for the efforts. final word of comfort to the family

or community? It is not an exaggeration to say the world

stands with these families. They are difficult times ahead for these

families. The rescue effort went on throughout the day and we were

following events. A day and a half since the mine

flooded. As the time passes, the news gets worse. Tonight, the Prime

Minister gave his reaction. It is clear that everything that could be

done is being done. It is a desperately sad situation and the

anguish of the family's is intense. They are worrying about their loved

ones and the news is not good. There's going to be desperate Sauro

as they come to terms with the loss. At first light, the scale of this

operation is apparent. Fresh teams relieving many who have worked for

12 hours through the night, trying to have reached the trapped miners.

By breakfast, there was news. It didn't give anyone any comfort.

They discovered a body. In the pitch black waters, they were

unable to say who he was. By lunchtime, a second body was

recovered. All families have been informed. No formal identification

has been made at this stage. No identities will be disclosed at

this time. From a us all, all our sympathy goes out to the family's

in what is incredibly difficult situation. By mid-afternoon, an

ambulance and other vehicles Exeter beat scene. A third mine had been

found dead. Access has been gained into the main shaft. We have

cleared the blockish and we have got crews able to enter and

searching the myriad of tunnels. It is as slow progress. They have to

dig as they going because a lot of debris has been washed through.

News that the bodies had been found had been delayed to the waiting

families. They test their pain added to the agonising wait.

think of a mining accident happening now, it is difficult to

imagine. We thought mining were safe and these accidents wouldn't

happen again. While a mining does play a part in the life of South

Wales still, it is still a dangerous job. The gay scene pits

is one of four pits remaining in Wales. -- glacier Now. There was a

similar accident to this one when a shaft flooded. Conditions were so

cramped in so place -- in places, miners had been cutting call on

their hands and knees. When police and emergency services were called

yesterday after nine, three miners had escaped, one of those was taken

to hospital. The miners were trapped 90 metres underground by a

250 metre main route into the mine. The thought of getting into pitch-

black water, water full of coal dust, there will be a scary thing.

Police divers were not only capable of doing it, they went and did it.

They made as much possible -- progress as possible. In their

nearby committee, they have been lighting candles in memory of the

dead candles. We have opened up the church hall so members of the

committee can say a prayer if they would like to. They can light a

candle. Then this evening, news that everyone had been dreading,

the body of a 4th miner. Phillip Hill, Charles Bresnan, Gary pile --

Gary Powell. A press conference was held

confirming the body of a 4th miner has been recovered. This community

hall has become a focal point, a hub. Family and friends have been

waiting inside for use but local members of the committee have been

arriving with supplies, trying to give support, comfort. The Red

Cross have set up inside. Caroline Evans reports on the community

support. This afternoon, the Archbishop of

Wales -- the Archbishop of Wales, was the latest leader to come to

the community centre. Everybody is thinking about these families today.

This used to be a place where there was lots of minds. All of those big

mines have closed and we have forgotten that they are still some

way people work daily. It is a dangerous thing. For the families,

it has been a day of unbearable anxiety. Much of it spent behind

closed doors here. Visited by a string of politicians and civic

leaders. In the wider community, all sorts have been the families.

Some know them personally. Even those who don't come have been

doing what they can to show their support.

We feel for these people, we feel for the relatives and the people in

They have been looking after the people in the community centre. We

are all totally devastated. A big shock. It is a small community and

you feel for them. I know we have said at prayer groups, that we

should pray for phut -- pray for them. Others have helped by making

food for the emergency services. is the people behind the scenes

that need to be helped. Some of the guys, they have just come back. We

are taking food to them. Speaking officially, the deputy Mayor said

they would continue to be there for the family. We are a close-knit

community and this is going to have a deep impact, particularly as many

will know the families or have some contact with them. Clearly it is

going to affect us all and we have to stay strong. As the day has worn

on, bad news has followed bad news. The mood here tonight, now one of

If you just take a look at the scene here at Rhos Community Hall,

despite the media attention, what strikes me is the quietness and the

sombre mood. Let us talk to Geoff Collins from the Red Cross. You are

offering support inside. Tell us what you have set up inside?

We were first called in yesterday evening, when we provided blankets

and emotional and practical support with trained volunteers and members

of staff. Then we formally set up the rest centre in the course of

today. Again, providing emotional and practical support. Before we go

further, can I, on behalf of the British Red Cross, offer our

sincere condolences to all friends and families involved. They have

had a horrible day and we stand ready to do anything for them that

we can. You have highly trained staff, as

you say, inside. What will they be able to tell families?

And volunteers, they are also highly trained. They are trained in

how to talk to relatives in these tragic conditions. They are trained

in how to deal with their emotions and they are also trained to offer

practical help. So often it is the practical help they need. As I said,

we stand ready to help in any way they can.

Geoff columns of the British Red Cross, Thank you.

Let us go over it now to Jamie who is at Cilybebyll about a mile and a

half away from the rescue operation. There has been two focuses of this

tragedy over the last 24 hours. Where you are, the Community Centre,

and of course here, just a few yards away from the pit itself.

While I have been standing here, we have been watching the emergency

services. The ambulance, fire and Cave rescue and all of the

emergency crews to have rest you'd -- who have desperate beat spent

the last hours hoping today will be different. They are exhausted

tonight and do not want to talk to the media. One man said he wanted

to get out of his filthy things. His face was covered in black and

his hands freezing cold. He said, I want to go back and be with my

family. This tragedy tonight has acted as something of a reminder of

how once mining dominated Wales and how very dangerous it can be. Our

Business correspondent has been looking back at the mining industry

in Wales. Mining accidents have formed part

of the fabric of Welsh industrial history. Most people could be

forgiven for thinking most of those days were over. The vast bulk of

the coal industry had gone but some mining activity, like at this drift

mine in the Neath Valley, remains. The coal industry employs 1,000

people in Wales, most work on opencast sites. 420 people work in

underground mining. The UK Coal Authority says there are currently

five drift mines in Wales. The miners in Wales described how a

small wind like the Gleision Colliery could have changed over

the years. 50 years ago there would be a whole

host of different situations of safety control. They have different

lighting and ventilation now. The distribution of coal, if you like,

even though they are shovelling it in many cases, from shovelling to

surface is very different. We did have the horses and the ventilation

is different. The colliery employs eight people.

It is thought it was capable of producing a few hundred tons of

coal a week. First of the workers are experienced with traditional

skills. Usually the people working in the

small mines have a greater range of skills. I think they are better as

craftsmen now than somebody who would work at the face and just

pushed buttons all day. They have got to set posts, lay track and do

a complete range of jobs. They are a more complete, trained,

underground miners. In July last year, miners were

working under grow at Gleision Colliery in these areas. The owners

were then given permission to were then given permission to

extend where they could work. At the time, planners at the council

sent that the surface area constitutes a difficult environment

Mining union officials say the colliery would have been inspected

by the Health and Safety Executive at least once a year. Although

there were problems with water, they say they were not out of the

ordinary for a mind of this kind. It is just on the other side of

that mountain that the dramatic events have unfolded this week. I

perspective of how dangerous the coal industry can be. This is an

old colliery which is now a museum. It was known locally as a dangerous

pitch where a lot of accidents would happen. The coal industry in

Wales is obviously much smaller morale. It is also generally much

safer. One cold veteran told me that once you are in the bowels of

the Earth, anything can happen. It takes about half-an-hour to walk

up here. The road have been closed by police to allow access to the

emergency services. When I walked up here this afternoon, I walked up

here with an old guy in his late 70s. He comes out to walk his dog

every afternoon. We talked about what has happened in his community.

He said, my father died in a mining accident and my wife's father died

in a mining accident. You know the routine. He wouldn't be watching

the news, he knew the story from a generation ago. But us talk to our

correspondent about that. This is one of those generational stories.

50 years ago, this was tragically commonplace. It is now so, so

unusual. Just to talk about the historical

perspective for a minute. It is a salutory reminder for people of a

certain generation, they lived with this fear all the time. It is worth

remembering that it is only when the coal mines were mechanised in

the 1970s that huge numbers of miners stopped dying in industrial

accidents like today's. We are not used to having the tragedies in the

workplace like we have seen in the last few days here. It is worth

remembering just a few months ago four people died at the Chevron oil

refinery in Pembrokeshire. Another industrial accident. It shows that

heavy industry, and there is a lot of heavy industry in Wales, one of

the strong points of the Welsh economy, it is great for the

economy but at the same time it brings with it certain dangers and

risks. We should say the culture in the workplace has changed

dramatically and as a result of that, frankly, events like this are

still rare but a reminder nevertheless.

Thank you. Three men escaped from yesterday's

mine accident. One man is in in a serious condition in Morriston

Hospital. Let us go live there to talk to our correspondent.

The focus, quite obviously, has been there at the Gleision Colliery.

And also at the Rhos community centre. The injured miner at

Morriston Hospital is in a stable condition. No real new details have

emerged during the day but I have been told unofficially that his

condition, quite possibly, isn't as bad as was initially thought. That

is good news for him and his family and friends. As we heard earlier,

he is one of the three miners who came out of the mind. Three

survivors. Two of those miners remarkably managed to help the

rescue operation. As the grim news has come out today about the miners

that have been fined this afternoon, it is no wonder that the family of

the injured miner here have asked South Wales police not to divulge

any new information about the condition of the injured miner here

at the hospital. Now we go over to the studio in Cardiff.

The world of sport is sending its sympathies to the families of the

men who've died in the mining tragedy. The Ospreys rugby team

will wear armbands in their match against Treviso tomorrow, while a

special tribute will be paid before Swansea City's Premier League game

against West Brom at the Liberty Stadium. And from the other side of

the world, the Wales rugby squad have also sent their condolences.

The squad are well aware of the miners that are caught back home in

Pontardawe. Our thoughts are look very much with the miners and their

families and friends. Very aware of the things happening back at home.

On behalf of the squad, we want to send support back to Wales. It is

very important to us. Wales have picked the same 15 that

lost to South Africa for their next match against Samoa on Sunday. From

New Zealand Gareth Lewis reports. Both Wales and Samoa have been

based in New Zealand this week. The dramatic setting a prelude to a

defining match of the World Cup. Wales have prepared knowing they

have to win to keep their hopes alive. So close were they against

the Springboks it is the same again with the addition of jet -- of

Gethin Jenkins back on the bench after an eight-month injury lay-off.

It is the first time Wales have announced an unchanged side since

five years ago. J Roberts has been identified as a danger man against

Samoa. Captain Sam Warburton and Co can expect a physical battle up

front for possession. We all know how important Sunday is.

I think we are all very aware that we must go out and match the

performance from last week. We must win on Sunday. That is the bottom

line. There are no second chances of the Sunday. It is that important

to us. We have highlighted a few players

who are at all carriers for them. It will the -- it will be a

physical charge. When we played them a few years ago, that was a

tough test match. We are expecting the same.

Wales know what to expect from Samoa. The Pacific Islanders beat

Namibia and have a confrontational and explosive style which is

unlikely to change. They have named the same side apart from Number Six,

they beat Australia in the World Cup warm-up. The vast majority of

the squad plays in the top league in England or France.

We have us the players' player across the world at top-flight

rugby. If last week wasn't quite make or

break, this week certainly is. Defeat and Wales' World Cup hopes

will lie in the hands of others. In their win against Namibia, Maes

lacked discipline. -- Samoa lacked discipline. That should be enough

to see Wales win the match but we will see. From the thermal springs

in New Zealand, the by. It is looking unsettled for the

weekend with strong and St winds. I can promise you a little sunshine

as well. Plenty of showers spreading across the country, some

with hail and thunder. Tomorrow will bring a mixture of sunny

intervals and show was. Hail and thunder. Some dry weather in

between, feeling cool and breezy. The wind strong and St. Tomorrow

night into Sunday will bring more or rain and showers. Heavy rain in

the North with a whisker of localised flooding. By the

afternoon, showers should ease. It will feel cool with a brisk north-

Let us go back to lose the outside be Rhos community centre.

A very sombre mood. We have heard reports that the families left this

war after they heard about the death of the third miner as hopes

started to fade. Let us speak to councillor Rosalind Davies. A very

emotional day for you. You know some of the family's?

Very emotional. Yesterday I was hoping that they would all be

coming out save, especially with all the expertise that was used.

This morning when I heard that one person had died, still hoping that

the other three were still alive. The families have been exceptional

in the way that they have conducted themselves and the support they

were giving to each other, as families together. Of course, the

support had has been -- that has been here from the community in

Rhos, that has been exceptional, and all the organisations that have

helped out. People have delivered food, volunteering, no problem at

all. That support will continue in the

days and weeks ahead as the community comes to terms?

Of course, I am sure it will. Neighbours will be helping out.

Thank you. Let us return for a final word with Jamie.

Lucy, tonight's closing headlines from the BBC: In the last hour it

has been confirmed that four men trapped in the mind just up the

road from here have lost their lives.