Essays

Stuck Down a Mine by Cathal Cosgrave.

Monday

It was 9AM .A usual Monday morning down in the mines. Alex, Marco and Ben were heading down underground. Marco was feeling a bit weary heading down and claimed he had a feeling that something very bad was going to happen that day.

In the mines it was as black as coal and they couldn’t see anything! They all went their separate ways, all off to where they had finished up on Friday.

They were able to mine for nearly 12 hours without a break .They were all as strong as Ox’s. They were 4 hours into their shift, it was 1300 hrs. The next few hours would be catastrophic………………

Suddenly there was a loud bang! Then Marco screamed, followed by Ben followed by Alex…… “Are you guys there?” Marco yelled. His leg had been trapped under some small stones but he was able to lift them off. He heard a small voice about  a 100 metres away. It was Ben! Marco ran to where he heard the voice and said “Ben is that you?” “Yes. Can you lift these rocks off my arm? I think it’s broken and I have a lot of pain in it.” When Marco freed Ben they had to find Alex but where could he be?

After about 2hrs of searching they found Alex, his face was as white as snow. “I think he’s dead” Ben whispered. “There must have been an explosion and the rocks fell on his head” said Marco.” So now I guess we are going to have to concentrate on getting out of here.” “Yes I have 2 days’ worth of water left” Marco said.

“This is going to be a long 2 days” Ben sighed. “It sure is “Marco agreed……

“Ladies and Gentlemen you are watching Sky News” said the presenter. ”In the last 2 hours there has been a bombing in Bosnia” she said sternly. ”There were 3 miners underground at the time of the explosion. There is now a huge rescue operation going on. We will now take a 10minute break” she announced.

Back in the mine

“So how do you think we should sustain ourselves?” Ben wondered. “I honestly don’t know, I guess it would be a good start if we made our way back to our entry point because if there is a search party they will start there” Marco said. “Yes I think that’s a very good idea, now let’s go” Ben agreed. Getting back there was an absolute PAIN IN THE BACKSIDE for them! First off they had no idea where they were going so they were roaming around for absolutely ages! It was as black as coal, they also encountered creepy crawlies, not to mention tripping and falling and getting cuts and bruises.

Back on the surface

“Ok, we need to organise a search operation as soon as possible” the head miners said. “I want 10 men to go down there to rescue my men”. “I want you guys to bring torches, water and food” He ordered. “Also bring a first aid box, you never know what might have happened to them” he added. When the men were ready to go they began their long journey underground to rescue Marco and Ben. “Good luck men” the head whispered to himself.

Back in the mine

I wonder if they have put a search party together yet?” wondered Ben. “I’m guessing they have; the head is a good guy and wouldn’t just let us die” Marco answered. “I think we should start making noises so if they do eventually come down they might hear us “Ben said .“good idea” Marco agreed. So Marco and Ben started to make noise for the rescuers.

On the Way Down

“This is SOOO!!!!!!!! Dark” one of the men said. When they had gone down a 100 feet or so they switched on their torches. “Even with these torches it’s still really dark” one of them said.   “I think I hear a tipping noise” another said. “And I think I hear someone shouting HELP!” “BIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGOOOO!” one yelled. “I would say we are about 5 minutes away from them!” one said excitedly. “So let’s keep going and we’ll be there in no time!”

Sky News

“Ladies and Gentlemen, you are watching Sky News” the announcer said. “A search party has been sent down in an attempt to rescue the 3 miners who are stuck in a mine is Serbia, their names Alex, Marco and Ben” she said sternly. “We will now take a 10 minute break and we’ll have more news from Serbia when we return.

On The Way Down

“We are getting so close!” one rescuer said. “Come on time is money and somebody’s life is at risk here!” another growled. “I think I hear them shouting!” “I think they are behind these rocks, we need to move the rocks then!” one exclaimed. They then heaved the rocks and found 2 men! Marco and Ben cried with relief when the rescuers rescued them and explained how they had to leave poor Alex behind. When the 2 men reached the surface with the rescuers they were dazzled by the bright sun, which was like a golden ball in the sky. There were shouts and cheers of joy from all the people that gathered at the Entry Point. They hugged their families and explained how they had to leave poor Alex behind.

Sky News

“Breaking News! Two of the three miners trapped in a mine in Serbia have been rescued safely, the 3^rd miner, Alex Cosgrave has sadly perished and rescuers are still searching for his body. In a statement his wife said: ‘I will miss him greatly, he was the light of my life’. “We will now take another 10 minute break”.