Chilean miracle miner to speak in Maltby

A CHILEAN miner who was trapped under 700 metres of solid rock for 69 days is visiting Rotherham’s last remaining mining community next week to speak of his ordeal.

José Henriquez, who is a lay preacher, was one of 33 miners whose plight captivated the world after underground tunnels collapsed at the San José Mine on August 5, leaving them trapped with no idea if they would ever escape.

The resulting rescue operation was one of the success stories of the century, with the miners delivered to the surface in a specially-designed capsule.

Now touring the UK to speak of his experiences, José Henriquez is visiting Maltby next Friday to tell his story at the town’s Full Life Church.

Alf Cooper, Protestant chaplain to Chilean president Sebastian Pinera, will be joining the preacher, who led daily prayers during the 69-day ordeal.

Sheron Critchlow, from the Full Life Church, on High Street, Maltby, said: “It is absolutely amazing that one of the Chilean miners is coming to talk to the people of Maltby. We’re really looking forward to hearing his story.

“His visit obviously has a special resonance in the local community because Maltby is still a mining community. It will be great to see people’s reactions to his story.”

Friday’s event at the Full Life Church will take place at 3.30pm and admission is free.

Tickets for the event can be tbooked by telephone on 01709 818213, or from the Full Life Church’s reception.

Sheron added: “We’re expecting a lot of interest.”