Prayers held for four Welsh miners

Special church services and prayers are taking place across Wales today as an investigation continues into the cause of the disaster at the Gleision Colliery.

Prince Charles, who said he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths of the four men, is believed to have made a substantial contribution to the fund.

The community has been left bereft by the deaths of Phillip Hill, Charles Breslin, David Powell and Garry Jenkins, whose bodies were discovered in the flooded mine on Friday after a massive search and rescue effort.

Neath MP Peter Hain set up the Swansea Valley Miners Appeal Fund, and last night tweeted: “We’ve done it! £20k in first day for Swansea Valley Miners appeal. Tks to everyone for their support.”

Hi dad, I love and miss you forever. Love you all the money in the world and America. From Kyla x

A spokesman for Clarence House said Prince Charles was invited to be the royal patron, adding: “He has close links to that area. He followed the story and was deeply saddened by what happened”.

The Prince and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, also sent private messages to the families of those who died.

Yesterday, Mr Hain described the incident as the “worst mining accident Wales has seen for generations”, which was “a stab through the heart of the community”.

On the minersappealfund.org website, Mr Hain said the bereaved families “need our help to survive and recover in the future”.

Floral tributes were laid near the scene of the tragedy, including a poignant message from Phillip Hill’s daughter Kyla.

Read more from Channel 4 News: Inside the Gleision Colliery drift mine

She left a bouquet of flowers with card close to the mine where the miners’ bodies were found.

On the card, she wrote: “Hi dad, I love and miss you forever. Love you all the money in the world and America. From Kyla x”

Kyla was comforted by other family members as they paused for reflection at the spot where dozens of people have left flowers and tributes to the four dead miners.

Another card from the family said: “Thank you for being part of our lives.

“Our girls will be safe with me. Miss you always. Donna x Meg”

A third said: “Phil, Kyla and Meg are in good hands, so sleep tight. Love Sadie and Brett xxx”.

Team tributes

People gathered at churches to light candles in memory of the men, and the Wales rugby team sent tributes from New Zealand where they are competing in the World Cup.

A minute’s silence was held before the Premiership clash between Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion.

The Wales Office and the Health and Safety Executive have launched an investigation into the incident – with specialist mine inspectors already on site.

“A full report into the causes of the accident will be published in due course to ensure that any lessons can be applied,” they said.

“At this stage it is too early to state possible causes and we would urge the media to refrain from speculation.”

The alarm was raised early on Thursday after the shaft flooded, trapping the men.

It had been hoped that the miners – originally part of a group of seven – might have found refuge in an air pocket following the accident.

But the bad news came through gradually on Friday, with police announcing at 6pm that the body of the last of the four had been found.

Fire and rescue and ambulance workers said they had never seen or worked in such conditions before.

minersappealfund.org