Time running out for nine miners trapped in flooded shaft

TIME was running out last night to pull nine trapped miners from a 240ft watery shaft after rescue efforts were delayed when a giant drill bit broke.

Anguished families held a vigil at the site as the race intensified to save their loved ones from a growing threat of hypothermia, more than 36 hours after a cave-in left them stranded in the 2.5ft wide chamber.

“It’s 50-50, the likelihood of success,” said Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker. “It puts you in a very prayerful mood.”