Community mourns lost miners

Over £20,000 was donated in a matter of hours to an appeal to help the families of Phillip Hill, Charles Breslin, David Powell and Garry Jenkins.

The four were discovered one after the other at the coal mine near Cilybebyll, South Wales, on Friday following a huge search and rescue effort.

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 early last Thursday when the shaft flooded, trapping the men.

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

It has emerged that Mr Jenkins, 39, was the first to be found by emergency services, followed by Mr Powell, 50, known to friends as "Dai Bull," Mr Hill, 45, and Mr Breslin, 62.

Floral tributes and cards were laid near the scene of the tragedy.

One card, from the wife and daughters of fellow miner Alan Jones who died in Blaenant Colliery, Crynant, in 1976, read: "To the families of the miners lost.

"May you find courage and strength over the coming days, months and years ahead. Our sincere sympathy and our thoughts are with you."

Neath MP Peter Hain said the Swansea Valley Miners Appeal Fund (minersappealfund.org) would help the bereaved families "survive and recover."

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 also 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 but said that it was too early to confirm possible causes.

National Union of Mineworkers general secretary Chris Kitchen expressed hope that the HSE will discover the causes "so that we can ensure that this tragic incident is not repeated."