Posted on 07/28/2002 12:00:29 AM PDT by kattracks
SOMERSET, Pa. (Reuters) - All nine miners trapped for three days in a flooded Pennsylvania coal mine were hauled to safety on Sunday, officials said.
Using a U.S. Navy capsule, rescuers pulled the miners one by one out of a flooded shaft 240 feet underground and up through a 26-inch wide hole that had been drilled down to the men.
The last of the nine men -- who were all in good condition -- was pulled to the surface at about 2:40 a.m., the officials said.
"All nine. All nine," Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker shouted in celebration as he pumped his fist in the air.The men were trapped in the Que Creek mine in rural Somerset County, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, on Wednesday when they inadvertently broke through into an abandoned, water-filled shaft. The rescue brought a jubilant climax to an agonizing drama in which rescue operations overcame a series of troubling equipment problems that caused an 18-hour delay on Friday.
Sac
Whoever thought of pumping in HEATED air was a genius. You don't usually think of being wet in the summer as a hypothermia risk, but the water the miners had to stand in was at about 50 degrees F. Water at 50 degrees draws off body heat many times faster than the same temperature air.
Thank God for a happy ending. Miracles are welcome anytime.
Even that's in bad taste on this subject.
This is truly a miracle. I am happy for all of them and their families. I just caught a glimse of it on TV this morning at my mothers house. She turned 91 today and I was taking some things to her for a party we are having later. I guess turning 91 is pretty much of a miracle in itself.
Thanks for the ping!!
In the USA, 36 have perished as of this date. God rest their souls.
Thanks be to the Supreme power and the indomitable spirit and skills of rescuers, nine were trapped; nine were brought home.
On this Sunday, we reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed to our nation.
Here's a salute to a job well done!
With jacks and timbers they started back down,
Then came that rumble way down in the ground,
As smoke and gas belched outta that mine,
Everyone knew it was the end of the line, for Big John.
Well, they never reopened that worthless pit,
They just placed a marble stand in front of it,
These few words were written on that stand:
At the bottom of this mine lies a big, big man.....Big John.
Have you noticed that the list of rescued miners are composed of Americans mostly in their late 40's and early 50's?
I thought Americans were too soft and lazy to do hard, dangerous jobs like this anymore.
When Americans Became Soft Hispanic Workers Stepped In
How come soft, lazy Americans are still doing these dangerous jobs?
>sarcasm<
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