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While 16 of these managed to escape and two were, tragically, drowned, one man remained underground for 13 days without food or water before being rescued. It is said that he ate candles for survival. His name was John Evans and his story was recorded in Welsh by Thomas Evans of Adwy, Coedpoeth, appearing in the Goleuad Gwynedd of November 1819. The following translation is by T. J. Whitley and can be found in 'Coedpoeth As It Was' (Star Press), compiled by Robert Edwards.

Three coffins were brought to the pit-head and at three 'o' clock the bodies of Salisbury and Taylor were taken home for burial on the following day. By now, Elizabeth Evans, John Evans' wife, became increasingly demented and entreated the men to get the body of her husband so that he could be buried like the other men. His coffin and shroud were got ready. His name and age (26) and the probable date of his death were inscribed on it. On the 11th day of the rescue attempt the rescuers felt sure that the body of John Evans would be found under one of the numerous rock falls.

Throughout the 11th and 12th days they cleared all the falls without finding the body. The 13th day came and towards midday Evan Rogers found a coat under the last fall. This really frightened him, for he thought this was the body of John Evans, but it was only a jacket. Within a few minutes, Evan Rogers and Thomas Jones, the two men who had proceeded furthest into the workings, thought that they had heard someone shouting 'Hello', but they paid little attention believing it to be the shout of their colleagues.

A few minutes later they heard another faint shout of 'Hello lads' and they shouted 'Hello Jack, and are you still alive?' 'Yes' replied John Evans, 'and fairly well too. Bring me a light.' Thomas Jones rushed over the rocks and found John Evans sitting in a little shelter he had dug for himself in the roof where he had been for 13 days without food, drink or light.

His walk to the pit bottom was quite a task, he had to rest often, and because of his long ordeal, lack of food, water and light and the company of his workmates, it was decided to postpone, for a while, bringing him to the surface. Mr Burton, the pit owner, sent for Dr Griffiths from Wrexham. The Doctor could not believe that a man could have survived without food and water for so long. Neither could the original writer of this account, nor the others who rushed to the pit on hearing that John Evans had been found safe and reasonably well. Mrs Evans was there and looked a tragic figure indeed. When the Doctor saw her, he said that she should be taken to a nearby house, for fear that the tragic sight of his wife may affect John Evans if he saw her in that sorry condition. At 3.30pm the Doctor was put in a chain harness with John Chandler and another man, and lowered down the 128 yards deep pit.

The Doctor was down the pit for about 20 minutes and, on returning to the surface, he gave orders that the cage be lowered so that John Evans could be brought up. Every eye was centred on the pit head and, after a very long, slow ascent, they saw him come up in the cage, his face was drawn and ashen and there was a wild, fierce look in his eyes. The first words he uttered were, 'Ble mae Betsan bach?' ('Where is my little Betsan?'). He looked very weak and walked very haltingly to the cart which was to take him home. A large crowd followed him all the way and the coffin and shroud were left behind.

Last Tuesday, I went to see him. He looked very poorly, having just got out of bed. In a little while, in reply to my queries, he said that he saw the inrushing water when it was about 10 yards away, and that he had run into an old stable. When the water began to rise to the stable, he climbed through a narrow wind hole and on to a higher ledge. The water soon reached the ledge and he had to climb still higher. He could go no further so he fashioned a little cabin well above the water. For the first three days he was very hungry. After that he did not seem to want food. Whenever he felt thirsty he would hold his mouth to catch the occasional drop of water that fell from the roof. On the morning of his rescue he thought that he could have lasted another week without food, but when he thought of his wife and children he had periods of deep distress and despondency. During these periods he heard faint strains of music from afar which kept his hopes of rescue alive. Whenever he wanted water, a light from somewhere would shine on the drops of water falling from the roof. He was sure that the Lord would not leave him there to die.

For further information on this story Robert Edwards of Star Press can be contacted on 01978 757013