Men rescued after becoming trapped 160m underground in a coal mine
TWO men have been rescued after becoming trapped in a lift 160 metres underground in a coal mine in Sydney’s south-west. The miners are said to be “in good health”.
NSW
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TWO men have been rescued from a cage in a coal mine near Sydney’s south-west.
Police responded to Tahmoor Colliery, near Bargo River Dr and Remembrance Dr, Tahmoor, just before 5pm after reports that two men were trapped up to 160m below ground.
The incident is understood to be connected to mechanical failure and the men aren’t believed to have suffered injuries.
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Emergency services freed the men just before midnight with a Fire & Rescue NSW spokesman saying the pair was in “good health” and were communicating well with officers during the operation.
Senior Fire officers, four fire trucks and specialist rescue units joined police to carry out safety checks before entering the mine and completing the rescue.
SIMEC mining environment and community manager Ron Bush said the miners had been in constant communication with emergency services through a phone on the structure and both assistied with their own rescue.
Earlier, Mr Bush likened the incident to an elevator malfunction and insisted the two men were not in any danger and that they would be out in a matter of hours once a plan had been devised.
“The crane is one of the options, we can reach it down and scoop them out,” he said.
“But ultimately the decision rests with external emergency services.”
GFC Alliance Media and Communications Manager Sean Kelly said the lift had malfunctioned as it was carrying the two men from surface to the pit bottom.
At about 150m below the surface, the protections system engaged and they became stranded.
“The employees are uninjured and their families have been contacted and are being regularly updated in their status and the progress of the emergency response,” Mr Kelly said.