There was one thought that kept returning to Blaine Mayhugh during the three days he was trapped 240ft underground in a flooded mine: He did not kiss his wife goodbye before he left for work.

NINE miners rescued from a mine in Pennsylvania were in surprisingly good condition yesterday after their three-day ordeal, doctors said.

Nine miners rescued from a mine in Pennsylvania were in surprisingly good condition today after their three-day ordeal, doctors said.

After a day of frustration caused by a broken drill bit, rescuers in Pennsylvania said today they were getting closer to nine miners trapped deep underground in a cramped, flooded mine shaft.