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Bodies recovered from Hunter Valley mine

The bodies of two coal miners who died when a wall collapsed in a Hunter Valley mine have been recovered by rescue teams.

Phillip Grant, 35, from Maitland and 49-year-old Cessnock resident Jamie Mitchell died when a wall collapsed in the Austar Coal Mine in Paxton on Tuesday night.

They had been working 500 metres below the surface and 10 kilometres along the mine.

Workmates attempted to save them on Tuesday night but were forced to leave the mine because of safety fears, with both men pronounced dead just after midnight on Wednesday.

Police confirmed they had recovered Mr Mitchell’s body about 8am on Thursday with Mr Grant’s body recovered just before 5pm.

Police have established a crime scene and the mine will remain closed indefinitely.

Workmates had struggled to save them but were forced to leave the mine because of safety fears.

Both men were pronounced dead just after midnight on Wednesday.

Police have established a crime scene and the Austar Coal Mine will remain closed indefinitely.

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