Aberfan survivor recalls the day his life was saved

  • Wales

Alive. 10-year-old Philip Thomas was alive. He was seriously injured but, unlike so many of his classmates, he'd escaped the full force of the disaster at Pantglas Junior School.

Philip was just 10-years-old when the disaster happpened Credit: Philip Thomas

Philip lost three fingers, ruptured his spleen and fractured his pelvis when 150,000 tonnes of coal mining slurry hit Pantglas Junior School. He had serious head and leg injuries, and needed surgery to reattach his ear.

But he'd survived, when so many of his friends had perished.

Rescue workers forming a chain to move debris to reach the children trapped in Pantglas Junior School Credit: PA/PA Archive/PA Images

  • ITV Wales will be marking the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster with a special programme tonight on Wales at Six, at 6pm on ITV Cymru Wales.