Welsh Miners' Deaths: Inquests Adjourned

Inquests have been opened and adjourned into the deaths of four miners who died at the Gleision Colliery near Swansea earlier this month.

Garry Jenkins, 39, Phillip Hill, 44, David Powell, 50, and Charles Breslin, 62, died when the small, private drift mine they were working in flooded on September 15th.

Swansea Coroner Phillip Rogers said it was "a sad occasion" as he recorded details of the men and the causes of their deaths.

All four were said to have died as a result of "exposure to flooded pit contents under pressure", with further investigations to follow.

They were certified dead at the Gleision Colliery, Cilybebyll, on September 16 after a 36-hour rescue attempt was called off.

Interim death certificates have been issued for all of the men so that their families can proceed with funerals planned for later this week.

Adjourning all four inquests pending further reports, Mr Rogers said: "I'm sure we're all still very mindful of the sad circumstances and the effect on the families of the four deceased gentlemen, and the local community."