Cornwall Mine Rescue Organisation

Cornwall Mine Rescue Organisation developed from the West Cornwall Mine Rescue Group, first formed in 1987. In October of 2001, the decision was taken to extend its remit countywide and the name was changed to reflect this. The Group operates as part of the emergency services in Cornwall, specialising in Mine Rescues. Based at King Edward Mine (KEM) at Troon the Group responds to call outs by the police via the 999 emergency system and to other services such as the RSPCA.

Members undertake various rescue, first aid and equipment training and hold regular exercises to put these skills into practice. The main responsibility of Cornwall Mine Rescue is to effect rescues from disused mine workings in Cornwall. Whether it be experienced explorers or curious holidaymakers getting lost whilst exploring beach adits, The Group is the official rescue team for King Edward Mine (used by students at Cambourne School of Mines), Holmans Test Mine and Poldark Mine. Animal rescues are the Groups most common callouts.

The Group assists Poldark Mine with mine maintenance during the winter months and a number of members of the Group also act as guides during the summer. Visitors to Poldark assist the group through collection boxes and part of the donations received from the Wishing Well.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals SILVER MEDAL

The RSPCA's highest awarded for bravery in rescuing animals was awarded for what the Society has described as 'one of the most dangerous, difficult and longest rescue operations ever recorded'.

THE RESCUE OF DINK AND TYDE 16TH to 21ST SEPTEMBER 2003

On Tuesday 16th September a request for assistance was received by the team from the RSPCA. Two 11 year old Jack Russell terriers had fallen down a crevasse on the cliff top at Godrevy Head, Gwithian. The dogs belonged to a visitor from Gloucester, Simon Wakeman, and were lost whilst out walking.

The entrance to the crevasse was so small that it took 2 hours to widen sufficiently for the smallest member of the team to be able to enter. The space below was very narrow making it impossible to abseil, after a further two hours of rigging a member of the team (Kevin Eade) was lowered into the crevasse. So difficult was the rescue that the first dog was not brought to surface until 3am, almost 9 hours after the start of the rescue. The second dog was further down and at first could not be seen. An attempt was made to locate and rescue the second dog the following day. With the help of South West Water's Duct Probe Camera the dog was eventually located in an area of the crevasse only 10 inches (25 cm ) wide and 65 feet (21.5 meters) below surface. An attempt at rescue was eventually aborted at 2am.

The RSPCA decided that if the dog was not rescued by 21st then it would have to be poisoned to prevent further suffering. The plight of the second dog and the attempts at rescue were closely followed by the media and people of Cornwall with live radio and TV coverage of the final attempt. It was to great applause that Tyde was brought to the surface by team member Roy Morton on the evening of the 21st after five days of one of the most difficult rescues so far made by the team.

Roy with Tyde and the 'TEAM' - CMR members taking part were: Mark Chandler, Roy Collison, Kevin Eade, Darryl Henderson, Peter Johnson, Doug Kemp, John Keirnan, Simon Martin, Pat Moret, Roy Morton, Darren Osborne, David Penhaligon, Sarah Penhaligon, Dr. Keith Russ, Graham Williams

The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal

VOLUNTEER members of the Cornwall Mine Rescue Organisation were presented with the Queen's Golden Jubilee medals.

They were recommended for the awards by the British Cave Rescue Council of which the organisation is a member.

back row: Darren , Roy M, Simon , Darrell, Chief Inspector Les Sutton, Sarah , David and Keith . Front row: Richard Williams (Director, Poldark Mine), Roy C, Peter , David and Mark .

20th / 21st May 2005 installation of stage pumping at Poldark following failure of the main pump and flooding of the deep level.

Visitors to the mine during the week of 15th May were unable to access the deepest part of Poldark Mine following an electrical fault on the main 4 inch submersible pump which resulted in flooding that at one time reached 20 feet above the bottom level. Following the installation of stage pumping the level is once again dry thanks to the work of four members of Cornwall Mine Rescue Organisation: Dave Penhaligon; Simon Martin; Sarah Penhaligon and Darren Osborne who were assisted by Chris Fletcher.

The work was undertaken over a period of four evenings which at times spread into the mornings with work finishing at 3.00 am !

The flooded bottom level	Disconnecting a pipeline

Rerouting the new pumpline	Pulling the pumpline through Horse Whim Stope	and Simon gets his woman !