Possibly the worst miss-communication/stuffup imaginable!

[Konovalov]

Only one miner found alive in US coal mine


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. I am sad but also angry as hell having heard about this 'miscommunication.'

[The Avon Lady]

More details here.

It's a double tragedy. Leave it at that.

[joea]

Cell phones should be banned at diaster scenes. Awful news.

[Terrax]

This accident happened 80 miles NE of me, the storm that supposedly set off the explosion woke me up that morning. It was a very bad electrical storm. As you can imagine, it's been the main topic with everyone in the state for the last few days. My Dad retired from the mines after 30+ years last Spring, and has told me what the miners would be going through in that situation. With all the safety violations the mine had, on top of the "miscommuncation", people around are out for blood. Let the finger pointing begin.

[August]

Welcome to the world of instant communications. No chance to get the story straight before it's announced to the world.

[Konovalov]

Originally Posted by August

Welcome to the world of instant communications. No chance to get the story straight before it's announced to the world.

Yeah. And I think that a small part of the problem is the 24 hour news cycle of cable/sat tv and the strong competetiveness between the networks to get the story out there first and get that breaking news story before your rivals.

[Kaptan Tommy]

Konovalov, you've hit the nail on the head. Somewhere between the 50's and now, we've arrived at information overload. Too much news about too many things, most of which are meaningless and unimportant. And here we have a perfect example of people reporting stuff that just isn't true in the interest of getting it out first - damn the fact checking.

I cannot imagine the mental breakdown that this has caused to all those who lost loved ones in this disaster, particularly after being told almost everyone was alive.

In fact, our local paper here in Carson City had a front page story about how all but one miner survived. Too early with the story thousands of miles away...

[sonar732]

Sadly enough, I remember seeing the news report last night on how the ppl were rejoicing at the local church only to have them come into the church and give them the bad news. Nothing should've been said until the PR person was ready.

[Konovalov]

Originally Posted by sonar732

Sadly enough, I remember seeing the news report last night on how the ppl were rejoicing at the local church only to have them come into the church and give them the bad news. Nothing should've been said until the PR person was ready.

The problem is though that because of the nature of the 24 hour news cycle, spin doctors, politicians, and so on feel pressure to issue some kind of statement.

[Takeda Shingen]

Of course the media jumps the gun. Furthermore, we reward them for doing it. It makes me wish that they would just get back to telling me how I'm going to die in my bed tonight. Bravo to the new culture of fear.

[Kresge]

I can just imagine one of the rescue workers reporting something like "we found them" and all the network and newspaper reporters spreading the word that they were alive and adding their own stylistic embellishments before the company people even had a chance to ask whether the miners were ok.

Of course everyone will blame the mine company executives and not the media. I 'm sure tens of thousands of tax dollars will be spent on a two year long government investigation to find out who to pin the blame on for the miscommunication instead of focusing on what to do to prevent future disasters in mines.

And somehow President bush will find a way to link the explosion to the war on terror and how we all have to stand vigilant.

[Kaptan Tommy]

...Or, someone will find a way to blame President Bush...

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by Konovalov

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. I am sad but also angry as hell having heard about this 'miscommunication.'

You don't understand the situation as it occurred.