The nine rescued Pennsylvania miners will be paid overtime for the three days they spent trapped 240ft underground, it emerged today.

A state commission is to examine mine safety and recommend changes to prevent accidents like the one that trapped nine men in a flooded coal mine for more than three days.

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.

The nine US miners pulled to safety after three days trapped in a cramped shaft 240ft underground had tied themselves together so they would ‘‘live or die’’ as a group.

A miner pulled to safety after three days trapped in a cramped shaft 240 feet underground wept today as he told of his relief at being reunited with his family.