Pit victim 'died a hero'

The colliery under-manager who died in the Bilsthorpe pit disaster was hailed a hero at his funeral, for giving his life trying to save others.

David Shelton, 31, was one of three men who died when a roof caved in half a mile below ground at the Nottinghamshire pit.

Canon Ralph Wheaton, Rural Dean of Worksop, told 300 mourners in the parish church at Blyth, near Worksop, that Mr Shelton had gone back to warn others of the danger. 'It speaks to me of selflessness,' he said.