Posted on 04/09/2010 9:44:21 PM PDT by BuckeyeTexan
MONTCOAL, W.Va. - Grieving relatives began burying victims of the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster Friday as crews neared a refuge chamber deep underground where they had faint hope that survivors might be awaiting rescue.
It was their fourth try to find the four miners missing since Monday's explosion killed 25 others in the nation's worst underground disaster since at least 1984. During the previous rescue attempt, searchers were forced to withdraw by dangerous gases and the risk of fire or explosion.
Five ambulances had arrived at the mine site early Saturday.
Gov. Joe Manchin promised families they should have answers by midnight.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I was SO hoping they found a way to stay alive in there. Very sad for all the families and friends. Prayers up!
What goes around comes around. Sometimes sooner.... sometimes later. The pathetic piece of human excrement who wrote that will get his. We just don’t know when.
I was so hoping they’d be found alive. Prayers for all West Virginians. Sad, sad day.
Harlan is where my family members lived and coal mined. I’ve not seen the documentary but I’ve heard stories.
Where? And when?
I have heard that seven bodies were or at shield #80 (tailgate) on the longwall face, all together. One could speculate that having seven people all together tells me that they possibly were working on something and the longwall was “down”. Possibly working on the pan-line. Before any work such as cutting or welding on the pan-line, one has to take methane readings under the pan as well.
They say the fire in the mine is at the face as well.
IMHO this is not a Sago type incident. Sago had 300 feet of cover and Upper Branch has ~1,100. This mine liberates around 2MM cubic feet of methane a day. I go to a mine in Colorado that at one time was liberating 14MM cubic feet a day and today it is around 8MM.
I have also read that 60 minutes is going to air a report on Massey and Blankinship on Sunday night. Should be very interesting.
He worked with a diamond crew. Good for him. Hope he is still well.
I work with some of the old Shamrock guys.
Oh my! I know those guys!
I also know the guys at Robin Hood and many of the crew in the strip mines. Some of the greatest days of my career.
Them were the days. We overloaded the conversion plants as best we could.
May God rest their souls, for their toils in life have been great. May God be with their families, and bring them peace.
As the grandson of two miners from the vicinity of Elkins, WV, I am grieving today. Politics aside, I would like to thank Gov. Joe Manchin III for his humanity during the now three coal mining tragedies he has had the misfortune to deal with during his time in office. He’ll no doubt be criticized in coming days for not doing more in the realm of mine safety. He has to walk a fine line between the well-being of those who mine coal and the economic vitality of his state. As an Ohioan, I would gladly trade our governor for Mr. Manchin - in a heartbeat!
To all West Virginians, please know that your neighbors to the west are praying for you today and always. God Bless miners everywhere, who toil ceaselessly without complaint so that our families can be safe and warm in our homes, schools, and offices.
We do what needs to be done.
We are not afraid.
These were the closing words of Homer Hickam at the Sago Miner's Memorial Service. Jan 16, 2006
He's fine.
He said he's seen it all, but with good ventilation this never should have happened.
I'll go underground, but it will be the last thing I ever do.
Terribly, terribly sad. Is there a fund for the families? I would like to contribute.
SEIU or college punk? In either case; worthless vermin.
btw, where are the celebs who rush to the sites of disasters? I must have missed them.
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