400 Yards from coal face

No Hope for 58 Missing Men : 23 Bodies Found at Easington

Fifty-two hours after the explosion in Easington Colliery rescue workers had this morning still not reached the main body of men entombed near the coal face. Mr. E. H. D. Skinner, Chairman of the Durham Division of the N.C.B., said to-day that rescue squads had been within 400 yards of the face. A total of 23 bodies has now been found, and 58 men are still unaccounted for. Eighteen bodies have been brought to the surface.

Mr. Skinner said that rescue squads are working tirelessly to penetrate the workings. From a layman’s point of view progress would appear to be slow, although from past experience it could be regarded as satisfactory. A fresh air base has been established 600 yards from the coal face, and rescue workers has explored 200 yards ahead of this, wearing special breathing apparatus. He regretted to say that hope of finding any men alive would now be "even more than a miracle."

Mr. H. E. Collins, Production Director, said the proportion of carbon monoxide gas was increasing beyond the fresh air base and it was necessary to improve the ventilation system before men could take part in rescue operations without special breathing apparatus.

Minor falls of stone have been met and he thought it would be at least 12 hours before the coal face, where the explosion occurred, could be reached. Following the death of a rescue worker on Tuesday night, said Mr. Collins, additional precautions are being taken to have rescue workers medically examined before taking over fresh turns of duty.

Although officially none of the bodies so far recovered has been identified, a notice in a shop window in Easington Colliery, announces four men will be buried on Saturday. The names given are: Matthew Williams (19), of Ashton Street ; J. S. Link, as Ascot Street ; Albert Seymour (64), of Oak Road ; G. Miller Brown, of Cook Street.