Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail – Thursday 02 June 1949

Fortitude of Two Buried Miners

Working in relays for nearly two hours, rescuers extricated early to-day two men who were buried by a roof fall at Cortonwood Colliery, Wombwell, last night.

Two men— Ernest Miller (43), Blythe Street, Wombwell, and Bernard Stuart (26). Washington Avenue, Wombwell both married were taken to hospital Barnsley.

Although the men were completely buried, it is believed they are suffering only from severe bruises and shock. The rescuers struggled in cramped conditions to get the heads of the men uncovered.

Dr. K. B. Freiter, of Wombwell, was called, and after donning a safety helmet and overalls, descended the 500-yardsdeep pit and walked a mile underground to the scene of the accident.

He was there before the men were extricated. ‘ I was amazed at their fortitude.’ he said. The men. he said, talked cheerfully, and one of them even chatted about going to Blackpool.