THE coal mine where a worker from Selby was killed in a roof fall last month is gradually “returning to normal” according to one mine union leader.

Kellingley Colliery was thrown under the national spotlight after father-of-two Gerry Gibson, 49, was killed on September 5.

Chris Kitchen, secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) also said he believed the focus of the joint investigation into the tragedy by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and pit owners UK Coal had now moved out of the mine.

He said: “I know the investigation has moved off-site now and some of the roof supports have been sent off for examination. They are the primary means of supporting the roof.”

Speaking of the mood in the North Yorkshire mining community, he said: “Things seem to be returning to normal, if indeed you can say that. The lads are very keen on safety and being extra vigilant – not that they weren’t before.”

A spokesman for UK Coal confirmed the company was still working closely with the HSE on the inquiry and that a report was expected in six months.

The fatal roof fall came only days after the death of four Welsh miners during a flood at a pit at the Gleision Colliery near Swansea.

This week pit manager Malcolm Fyfield, 55, was arrested for gross negligence by officers from South Wales Police as they investigate the incident.