Young man 'lucky to be alive' after falling down 15m mine shaft
A young South Australian man owes his life to an incredible rescue mission after falling down a 15-metre opal mine shaft and surviving.
Daniel Cotter had been scouring for opals on the surface of the mine in the outback town of Coober Pedy when he slipped and fell six-metres down the shaft, raising the alarm about 11.45pm on Friday.
The 22-year-old survey worker and his cousin Andrew had been black-lighting when Mr Cotter fell.
His cousin raised the alarm and local SES and fire crews worked through the night to help extract the man.
“We lowered one of our rescue members down,” Michael Beelitz of the Mine Rescue and SES, told 7 News.
“And he, in turn, put a half-back harness on the casualty and we winched them both back up to safety.”
The Royal Flying Doctor Service transported Mr Cotter to the Coober Pedy hospital where he was treated for a fractured ankle, knee and suspected spinal injuries.
“He is incredibly lucky to be able to come out of that stable,” said Jodie Hunter of the RFDS.
“He’s very lucky to be alive and safe in Adelaide.”
