The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Mineshaft rescue ends in tragedy
CHARLESTOWN: Man dies after being pulled from water
Investigations are continuing after a man pulled from water in a west Fife mineshaft was pronounced dead at the scene.
The rescue mission for the 51-year-old at Charlestown mines ended in tragedy late on Saturday afternoon.
His death is being treated as unexplained. Three fire service water rescue teams were launched after the alarm was raised at around 2.30pm.
Police, paramedics and mines rescue officers were also involved in the operation, which lasted more than three hours.
Charlestown has a network of old mines where limestone was formerly quarried.
George Hipwell, factor for Broomhall Estate, where the incident happened, said: “Our thoughts are with the family affected.”
A police spokeswoman said: “A 51-yearold man was rescued from a mineshaft but pronounced dead at the scene.”
Police inquiries are continuing into the death of a man who was trapped in a mineshaft in west Fife.
The 51-year-old was pulled from the old works at Charlestown on Saturday afternoon but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency services spent more than three hours at the spot in Broomhall Estate, where he was lifted from the flooded mine near Main Street.
Police said the man’s death was being treated as unexplained.
His identity is yet to be released. Limestone was quarried at Charlestown and the village has a network of old mines.
There are also paths but locals said there were signs warning of the dangers.
Local councillor Andrew Verrecchia said: “What a dreadful thing to happen.
“Life for this man’s family will not be the same again.”
The alarm was raised at around 2.30pm on Saturday.
Three water rescue teams from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched and Mines Rescue were also involved in the operation.
The Scottish Ambulance Service sent a special operations unit and local police officers were drafted in.
A police spokeswoman said: “Officers assisted emergency services partners following a report that a man was trapped in a mine near Main Road, Charlestown, Fife around 2.30pm on Saturday March 14.
“A 51-year-old man was rescued from a mineshaft but pronounced dead at the scene. His death is being treated as unexplained.
“Inquiries are ongoing.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted at 2.43pm on Saturday March 14, to reports of a person in the water in Charlestown, Fife.
“Life for this man’s family will not be the same again. COUNCILLOR ANDREW VERRECCHIA
“Operations Control mobilised two appliances and three water rescue teams to Charlestown mines, where crews assisted their emergency service partners before leaving the scene.”
Local resident Rakhee Patel said: “We were told that someone had fallen into one of the mines.
“They said by the time they got to the man the mine had collapsed and there was flooding so it was difficult to get there.”
Solomon Patel said the area was considered a no-go zone locally.
Factor George Hipwell said Broomhall Estate was yet to be contacted by police but said: “We will help the emergency services if and when required. Our thoughts are with the family affected.”
The road was reopened at 6pm on Saturday as emergency services began to leave.