Miners feeling good in spite of delays
Jane Bunce
Advertiser Adelaide
______________
Two trapped Tasmanian miners are in remarkable health and good spirits, despite frustrating delays in digging them a tunnel to freedom.
Todd Russell and Brant Webb last night had a supply of food, water, dry clothes and blankets, and even magazines as they faced their eighth night buried in a steel cage a kilometre below ground.
The miners have told rescuers they desperately want to be out on time for the weekend footy - and they may get their wish.
Rescue teams say a boring machine is today expected to begin drilling a one metre-wide tunnel to Mr Webb and Mr Russell through the last 12 metres of rock in a task expected to take 48 hours.
That could see them emerge from Beaconsfield Gold Mine some time on Friday, 10 days after rock falls trapped them underground and killed workmate Larry Knight.
Mine manager Matthew Gill said the men had asked for meat pies and eggs and bacon, but "that's just not possible".
May 03, 2006
Jane Bunce
Advertiser Adelaide
______________
Two trapped Tasmanian miners are in remarkable health and good spirits, despite frustrating delays in digging them a tunnel to freedom.
Todd Russell and Brant Webb last night had a supply of food, water, dry clothes and blankets, and even magazines as they faced their eighth night buried in a steel cage a kilometre below ground.
The miners have told rescuers they desperately want to be out on time for the weekend footy - and they may get their wish.
Rescue teams say a boring machine is today expected to begin drilling a one metre-wide tunnel to Mr Webb and Mr Russell through the last 12 metres of rock in a task expected to take 48 hours.
That could see them emerge from Beaconsfield Gold Mine some time on Friday, 10 days after rock falls trapped them underground and killed workmate Larry Knight.
Mine manager Matthew Gill said the men had asked for meat pies and eggs and bacon, but "that's just not possible".
May 03, 2006
