Last updated at 11:59, Thursday, 10 January 2013

A HERO who saved a man from a crumbling mine shaft says he no longer feels 100 per cent safe in his home as work began to repair the hole.

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Ryan Rickerby, of Howbank Road, Egremont, was hailed a hero after he plucked the workman to safety when a gaping hole opened up behind his house in November.

It swallowed acres of gardens, a shed, and a huge drilling rig, and led to the evacuation of residents.

Copeland Council has insisted the area is now safe, with contractors now working to put a permanent cap on the mine.

But Mr Rickerby, who only returned to his home last week, said: “I feel glad to be back but I don’t feel 100 per cent safe. Because something like that has happened, it is always in the back of your mind.

“If your car breaks down you are always fearful it will break down again.

“I don’t know how much the value of my house has been depreciated. That will be a concern when I come to sell because it will make it harder to purchase another house.”

Mr Rickerby lived with girlfriend Kathryn Mrowicki in a flat owned by his aunt until he was told it was safe to return.

More than 200 tonnes of grout have been used to fill the hole and a council spokeswoman has confirmed that a further 30 and 40 tonnes will cap the mine. The work will cost about £400,000 and is due to be completed by January 18.

Work on the site was stopped over the festive period to allow the residents to go home for Christmas.

As well as capping the mine, the council has also pledged to tidy up and reinstate gardens.

Mr Rickerby had been washing the dishes when he heard “a loud noise” and the house started to shake. The 25-year-old Sellafield worker pulled a workman to safety as he was dragged towards the hole.

Nine houses were evacuated but residents have now been told that the area is safe for them to return.

First published at 11:58, Thursday, 10 January 2013
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk