Family Learns Miners Tried To Escape

[FVZA_Colonel]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060110/ap_on_re_us/mine_explosion_210;_ylt=Akx7lRdpuIxw3kZrphdBx7e9aaEv;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl



Family Learns Miners Tried to Escape
By DAVID DISHNEAU, Associated Press Writer

TALLMANSVILLE, W.Va. - The men trapped inside the Sago Mine tried to bulldoze their way out in a mine car before following their training and barricading themselves behind a makeshift protective curtain, according to the family of the disaster's sole survivor.

By the time rescue workers reached the 12 trapped miners more than 41 hours after an explosion, all but one had died of carbon monoxide poisoning. It was West Virginia's worst coal-mining accident in more than 35 years.

Rick McGee, the brother-in-law of survivor Randal McCloy Jr., said Tuesday that International Coal Group Inc. chief executive Ben Hatfield told the family that the miners apparently tried to use the same mechanized mine car they rode into the mine to force their way out, but debris blocked their path.

"They found footprints," said McGee. The men "tried to go back out of the mine. This ain't hearsay. This came from Hatfield's mouth."

[RamboLiberal]

1. Sago miners made futile attempt to escape (Using Mine Car)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06011/635847.stm

The men trapped inside the Sago Mine tried to bulldoze their way out in a mine car before following their training and barricading themselves behind a makeshift protective curtain, according to the family of the disaster's sole survivor.

By the time rescue workers reached the 12 trapped miners more than 41 hours after an explosion, all but one had died of carbon monoxide poisoning. It was West Virginia's worst coal mining accident in more than 35 years.

Rick McGee, the brother-in-law of survivor Randal McCloy Jr., said yesterday that International Coal Group Inc. chief executive Ben Hatfield told the family that the miners apparently tried to use the same mechanized mine car they rode into the mine to force their way out, but debris blocked their path.

"They found footprints," said Mr. McGee. The men "tried to go back out of the mine. This ain't hearsay. This came from Hatfield's mouth."

Sago mine where 12 died last week collected many safety citations

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06011/635822.stm

State and federal inspection reports of the Sago mine, scene of an explosion that led to the deaths of 12 miners, reveal a continuing series of roof collapses, injured miners and safety violations over the past two years.

West Virginia state inspectors in particular noted regular roof collapses and injuries inside a section -- closed and sealed last month -- that is believed to be the location of the explosion that blew out the ventilation system, dooming the miners.

Inspection reports released yesterday by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration used strong language in reference to the safety practices of the prior owner, Anker West Virginia Mining Co., and International Coal Group, which took over the mine Nov. 18.

A report issued by a federal inspector on Dec. 14 argues that ICG had "shown a high degree of negligence for the health and safety of the miners that work at this coal mine" by permitting conditions that included accumulations of coal and coal dust.

[Erika]

2. I watched all that whole night

Nothing was said about debris. There had been much speculation on why they didn't just walk out.

Why the debris mention now?

[RamboLiberal]

3. Who knows - this story has been badly reported

But I would speculate it wouldn't have to be a lot of debris since the mine car runs on tracks I believe.

[shenmue]

4. This is horrible

It keeps getting worse as the truth comes out.

[grasswire]

5. they kept saying "no blockage"

Which I interpret to mean no debris. Why did it take 41 hours for rescuers to get in? I haven't heard an answer for that yet.

[regnaD kciN]

6. At least in our local media...

...the "diagrams" of the accident showed a complete blockage all along.

[Judi Lynn]

7. It may be they felt compelled to release this info. now to counter

the stories carried widely that the men were only 2000 feet from "breathable air" in the last two days. The story left the impression, almost, that it's a real pity the miners had no idea at all how close they were to freedom. If their way was blocked they weren't close.

I'll bet that was irritating to the people who knew they were genuinely screwed and COULD NOT MOVE out of the area. You would surely have to give them credit for exploring every possibility, after all.

[sofa king]

8. Do the mine cars use combustion or electric engines ?

I don't know much about mining. It seems that using electricity would keep down CO levels, but that might increase the risk of an explosion.

If, on the other hand, the car was powered by internal combustion, it would have consumed some of the available oxygen while probably producing some carbon monoxide.

I suppose either way it's part of a very unfortunate event.