Konovalov
01-04-06, 03:54 AM
Only one miner found alive in US coal mine
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/04/miners_wideweb__470x371,0.jpg
Family members celebrate after hearing that 12 miners were found alive in Sago, West Virginia.
Photo: Reuters
January 4, 2006 - 7:28PM
Family members reported early today that 11 of the 12 coal miners who were initially thought to have survived an explosion in a US coal mine have died.
Families learned of the deaths from mine officials more than three hours after Governor Joe Manchin said he had been told 12 of the miners survived the disaster.
The sole survivor of the disaster was hospitalised, a doctor said.
Earlier, the peal of church bells just before midnight spread the word that a miracle had occurred in a West Virginia mining town - a dozen miners buried alive in the Sago Mine for more than 40 hours by an explosion and cave-in were claimed to have been found safe and sound.
Scores of residents gathered at the Sago Baptist Church in Tallmansville erupted with shouts of joy when the good news reached them. Some began singing hymns, others hugged and kissed each other, and a few jumped up and down with tears in their eyes. Even hard-bitten miners buried their faces in their hands and wept.
Details of the rescue were sketchy.
But it became clear that something good was happening around 11.30pm local time when Governor Joe Manchin left the church, gave a thumbs-up sign and told everyone to "believe in miracles, believe in miracles".
"They told us they have 12 alive," the Governor said. "We have some people that are going to need some medical attention."
A short time later, ambulances were seen moving to the mine entrance. About 11.50pm, cheers came from the area and the ambulances pulled away.
Members of some of the miners' families said it appeared that the survivors managed to barricade themselves safely away from deadly gases.
Earlier, one of the 13 trapped miners was found at his work station, apparently killed by the mysterious blast that erupted yesterday morning.
Family members said they believed the lone fatality was fire boss Terry Helms, but that was unconfirmed.
Raymond Groves, whose brother Jerry was rescued, said: "This is just wonderful, but I feel relieved and sad at the same time because one of them is gone.
"You know," he added, "none of us gave up hope. We had our down moments, but we never gave up hope."
The drama began at 6am local time yesterday when a blast that some suspect was caused by a lightning strike scattered the miners while they were 79 metres underground. Within an hour, a desperate bid to save them was launched.
From the start, it was a race against time because the miners were equipped with air purifiers capable of generating fresh air for only a few hours.
But mud, debris and noxious gases in the central mine shaft slowed the search for the miners trapped 3650 metres from the entrance. Rescuers had to move rubble by hand for fear of sparking another explosion if power tools were used.
AP, KRT
All I can say is that someone is responsible for putting these families through the worst imaginable mental torture and anguish. Someone deserves to get their butt kicked big time. I feel for the mining families and I could not imagine how difficult it is for them to deal with this sort of disaster given the earlier news that all but one had survived. :cry: I am sad but also angry as hell having heard about this 'miscommunication.' :hulk:
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/04/miners_wideweb__470x371,0.jpg
Family members celebrate after hearing that 12 miners were found alive in Sago, West Virginia.
Photo: Reuters
January 4, 2006 - 7:28PM
Family members reported early today that 11 of the 12 coal miners who were initially thought to have survived an explosion in a US coal mine have died.
Families learned of the deaths from mine officials more than three hours after Governor Joe Manchin said he had been told 12 of the miners survived the disaster.
The sole survivor of the disaster was hospitalised, a doctor said.
Earlier, the peal of church bells just before midnight spread the word that a miracle had occurred in a West Virginia mining town - a dozen miners buried alive in the Sago Mine for more than 40 hours by an explosion and cave-in were claimed to have been found safe and sound.
Scores of residents gathered at the Sago Baptist Church in Tallmansville erupted with shouts of joy when the good news reached them. Some began singing hymns, others hugged and kissed each other, and a few jumped up and down with tears in their eyes. Even hard-bitten miners buried their faces in their hands and wept.
Details of the rescue were sketchy.
But it became clear that something good was happening around 11.30pm local time when Governor Joe Manchin left the church, gave a thumbs-up sign and told everyone to "believe in miracles, believe in miracles".
"They told us they have 12 alive," the Governor said. "We have some people that are going to need some medical attention."
A short time later, ambulances were seen moving to the mine entrance. About 11.50pm, cheers came from the area and the ambulances pulled away.
Members of some of the miners' families said it appeared that the survivors managed to barricade themselves safely away from deadly gases.
Earlier, one of the 13 trapped miners was found at his work station, apparently killed by the mysterious blast that erupted yesterday morning.
Family members said they believed the lone fatality was fire boss Terry Helms, but that was unconfirmed.
Raymond Groves, whose brother Jerry was rescued, said: "This is just wonderful, but I feel relieved and sad at the same time because one of them is gone.
"You know," he added, "none of us gave up hope. We had our down moments, but we never gave up hope."
The drama began at 6am local time yesterday when a blast that some suspect was caused by a lightning strike scattered the miners while they were 79 metres underground. Within an hour, a desperate bid to save them was launched.
From the start, it was a race against time because the miners were equipped with air purifiers capable of generating fresh air for only a few hours.
But mud, debris and noxious gases in the central mine shaft slowed the search for the miners trapped 3650 metres from the entrance. Rescuers had to move rubble by hand for fear of sparking another explosion if power tools were used.
AP, KRT
All I can say is that someone is responsible for putting these families through the worst imaginable mental torture and anguish. Someone deserves to get their butt kicked big time. I feel for the mining families and I could not imagine how difficult it is for them to deal with this sort of disaster given the earlier news that all but one had survived. :cry: I am sad but also angry as hell having heard about this 'miscommunication.' :hulk: