Chilean miner to share details of 69-day ordeal trapped underground (From Durham Times)

Chilean miner to share details of 69-day ordeal trapped underground

5:45pm Friday 14th January 2011 in News

ONE of the 33 Chilean miners, whose rescue gripped the world, is coming to Durham later this month to describe his remarkable ordeal.

Drill master Jose Henriquez, known as the pastor of “Los 33”, will tell an audience at Durham Cathedral on January 24 how he survived for 69 days stuck 700m underground.

The plight of the trapped miners made worldwide news last year, but very few people in the UK have had the chance to hear a first-hand account of the incredible story.

But Mr Henriquez, the 24th miner to be brought out of the San José mine, has chosen Durham Cathedral, which holds an annual service during the Miners’ Gala, as one of the venues for his “34th Man”

speaking tour.

In his address, the 56-yearold, accompanied and translated by Alf Cooper, chaplain to the President of Chile, will describe how many of the miners felt they had another man present with them throughout the ordeal.

John Martin, a spokesman for Mr Henriquez, said the cathedral’s close ties with mining was a key reason for its selection.

He said: “We thought quite deliberately about where we wanted to come and having Jose visiting areas where there was an association with mining was important.

“Durham Cathedral is a gem and, of course has strong links with mining through hosting its annual service and gala.

“Jose and Alf are approaching their tour with great excitement and have been very pleased with the enthusiasm shown by those looking forward to coming.”

Mr Henriquez, became responsible for keeping spirits up in the miners’ underground chamber.

An evangelical preacher, he asked for 33 Bibles to sent down the supply hole as soon as it was completed and took regular Bible study classes.

As Mr Martin explained, Mr Henriquez’s tour will describe how many of the miners found religion very important during their incarceration.

He said: “The tour has a very interesting spiritual message.

There is a Bible story about three men who survived being thrown in a furnace who felt they had a fourth man with them all the time.

“Following their rescue, a number of miners also said they felt they had another person with them in the mine helping them through it.

“That’s where the name of the tour comes from, and that’s the core of what it is all about.”

The event starts at 6.30pm on Monday, January 24. Tickets are free, but seating is limited.