August 1963

August 1963

David Fellin and Henry Throne were trapped for 14 days in the Sheppton Mine in the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region following a cave-in.
A 6-inch borehole – the first such attempt in a mining rescue attempt anywhere in the world – miraculously penetrated the chamber where Fellin and Throne thought they were waiting to die.
Following that, a much larger borehole – 17½ inches in diameter – was drilled right over it.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1963, first Throne, then Fellin were pulled to the surface wearing parachute harnesses and football helmets. A third miner in the mine at the time, Lou Bova, was never recovered.