AWFUL ORDEAL IN A COAL PIT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 226, 14 June 1915, Page 4

AWFUL ORDEAL IN A COAL PIT.

A moving story of a collier’s awful ordeal in the pit was told at an inquest on Owen T. Roberts, at Ynysybwl, near Pontypridd. It was stated that Roberts -was struck down by a fall from the roof of the mine and imprisoned by the debris. His mates came quickly to the rescue, but the work of extricating him was rendered hazardous, as the least carelessness might ihave caused a further and more serious fall. From eleven o’clock at night till three the next morning the men toiled, to remove the debris bit by bit. All the time Roberts lay helpless among masses of coal waiting for the success of his rescuers’ efforts. It was a terrible time for everybody, and when the last obstruction was removed and the man lifted out and found to be still alive, the joy was great. But the joy soon turned to tears, for Roberts was so badly hurt that he succumbed in five minutes. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.