The South African miners were trapped in Shaft 11, a deep, dark, underground shaft where they were unable to access food and water. The miners were living off salt and toothpaste mixed with water collected at the bottom of the rock face, surviving on nothing but stagnant water. Patrick, who had made his way to Shaft 10 in November, saw that there might be food but was unable to hold onto any hope as the rescues were too slow and not enough food or water was being brought down. He returned to the shaft on December 22, climbing the girders to escape and found that seven miners had died over two days. He was eventually handcuffed by a police officer and led away from the miners. In late December, police removed the anchoring rope at Shaft 1,300 metres, and four more miners surfaced over the course of the morning. The South African government began efforts to rescue the miners, pushing for more rescue efforts.