Miners Trapped In WV Coal Mine

[MrsMush99]

Funerals being held today for six of the miners. Just heard on Fox.

 

[Sassygerl]

Miner returns to West Virginia
Doctor: Improvement warrants moving survivor closer to home

Saturday, January 7, 2006; Posted: 9:37 p.m. EST (02:37 GMT)

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- The sole survivor of a West Virginia mine explosion was dramatically improving Saturday as he struggled to fend off the carbon monoxide poisoning that killed his co-workers, a doctor said.

Meanwhile, doctors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said McCloy, 26, was transferred Saturday night to the West Virginia hospital where he was originally treated so he can be closer to his family.

Link

I am soooooooo thankful and happy that he is improving. The news sounds encouraging!!!!!

 

[Marthatex]

It sounds encouraging that he's getting better quickly, and "significantly". Swallowing - that's hopeful. I guess it all depends on the affect of the carbon monoxide on his brain.

 

[Buzz Mills]

It sounds encouraging that he's getting better quickly, and "significantly". Swallowing - that's hopeful. I guess it all depends on the affect of the carbon monoxide on his brain.

The last I heard, his organs hadn't yet returned to, what is considered, normal operation. Accoding to the doctor, he still has any number of medical problems that need to be addressed. It's a wait, and see, to see how complete his recovery will be.

 

[Liz]

At the top of this hour, I tuned in to CNN and I could have sworn I heard that Randal was now breathing on his own, but that the respirator remained in case he were to need it.

I am definitely encouraged by Randal's progress thus far and can only pray it continues.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/08/mine.survivor.ap/index.html

 

[Marthatex]

It would be great to have one miracle in a terrible tragedy.

 

[Liz]

It would be great to have one miracle in a terrible tragedy.

Yes, it would be!

 

[Marthatex]

Well, I googled Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and clicked postgradmed.com. I kind of wish I hadn't.

The brain and the heart are the most affected, tho' other organs can be. Coma is the result of very severe poisoning. Retinal hemorrage is possible as well as lactic acidosis.

Unfortunately, effects can be delayed - with patients coming back days later with serious neurologic problems. Learning and memory are the most affected, but movement problems can occur also (arms, legs).

It's too bad he couldn't have been rescued sooner.

 

[MrsMush99]

Randal McCloy doing extremely well!!! He is breathing on his own.

Link

Mine survivor breathing on his own
Still 'too early to know' extent of recovery, doctor says

Monday, January 9, 2006; Posted: 1:02 a.m. EST (06:02 GMT)

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (CNN) -- The sole survivor of last week's West Virginia mine disaster began breathing on his own Sunday after sedatives were withdrawn, but he remained attached to a ventilator in case he should need it, the hospital said.

Doctors at West Virginia University Hospitals told reporters they hoped Randy McCloy Jr. would show signs of consciousness in the next couple of days, so they could assess his brain function.

But the timing remained uncertain. The 26-year-old miner suffered liver damage during his ordeal, which could affect the time it takes for the sedatives to get out of his system, his doctor said.

 

[T'sNana]

My heart just aches for Mr. McCloy and his family and the miners who lost their lives and their families and the co-workers and friends of all these miners. I cannot imagine the pain they bear. I just wonder about the psychological pain and cannot fathom what Mr. McCloy endured, beyond his physical torment. From what I've heard from some of the friends and family on CNN is that they were a family (no big surprise there, as it is that way here in the mining industry in IL) and pretty much felt Mr. McCloy as a younger brother and probably protected him as much as they could. I think all of these miners, rescuers, emergency personnel were heroes in this. I am hopeful the strictest of safety precautions will be instilled in every mine though that's a little naive...but I can hope. This is just such a dangerous job and it's sad that it takes these accidents to show that to some and to change safety standards in mines. That being said, I am not suggesting substandard safety at Sago, but I think mines everywhere operate in substandard safety conditions...I know the one where my SIL works does and it terrifies me.

 

[indigomood]

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Mining disaster survivor Randal McCloy Jr. has been responding to stimuli, but has developed a slight fever and remains in critical condition, doctors said Monday.

"Randy has developed a fever, which is a common occurrence in any patient's intensive care course," he said. "This is almost an expected complication."

Doctors plan to start physical therapy later Monday to exercise McCloy's muscles and promote blood flow through his arms and legs, which appear to have become more reactive to stimulation.

Dr. Julian Bailes, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, said McCloy was still in a "moderate coma." Late Sunday, the hospital had said it was unclear whether sedatives had completely cleared McCloy's body.

"The best he has done is (responding to) localized pain — something he doesn't like," Bailes said Monday. "He comes up to grab your hand."

He said it was still too early to make an accurate prognosis about McCloy's recovery, but his brain stem appears to be completely normal.

link to article

 

[Buzz Mills]

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Mining disaster survivor Randal McCloy Jr. has been responding to stimuli, but has developed a slight fever and remains in critical condition, doctors said Monday.

"Randy has developed a fever, which is a common occurrence in any patient's intensive care course," he said. "This is almost an expected complication."

Doctors plan to start physical therapy later Monday to exercise McCloy's muscles and promote blood flow through his arms and legs, which appear to have become more reactive to stimulation.

Dr. Julian Bailes, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, said McCloy was still in a "moderate coma." Late Sunday, the hospital had said it was unclear whether sedatives had completely cleared McCloy's body.

"The best he has done is (responding to) localized pain — something he doesn't like," Bailes said Monday. "He comes up to grab your hand."

He said it was still too early to make an accurate prognosis about McCloy's recovery, but his brain stem appears to be completely normal.

link to article

Let's just keep hoping for the best. It's a long road of recovery for Randy.

 

[T'sNana]

CEO: Mine passageway unblocked
By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY
Wireless technology available today might have saved some of the 12 miners who died last week in a West Virginia mine, the chief executive of the mining company said Monday.
However, the coal industry has been slow to adopt wireless communication systems, he said.


AP file photo
Hatfield

International Coal Group CEO Ben Hatfield said things may have turned out differently had the miners known that the Jan. 2 explosion in the Sago Mine did not block the mine's passageway.

"Sadly, they could have come out and made it to safety," Hatfield said in an interview with USA TODAY.

More at link http://usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-09-mine-modernizing_x.htm

 

[Linda7NJ]

CEO: Mine passageway unblocked
By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY
Wireless technology available today might have saved some of the 12 miners who died last week in a West Virginia mine, the chief executive of the mining company said Monday.
However, the coal industry has been slow to adopt wireless communication systems, he said.


AP file photo
Hatfield

International Coal Group CEO Ben Hatfield said things may have turned out differently had the miners known that the Jan. 2 explosion in the Sago Mine did not block the mine's passageway.

"Sadly, they could have come out and made it to safety," Hatfield said in an interview with USA TODAY.

More at link http://usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-09-mine-modernizing_x.htm

Oh dear God...how sad is that???

 

[T'sNana]

I know...just a wireless call away from safety! Sad, sad, sad! I think they need to mandate that they have these phones in all mines..it's just a logical, possibly life-saving, item to have!

Oh dear God...how sad is that???

 

[Details]

Not a normal wireless call - wireless will not penetrate that kind of rock! Wireless equipment would need to be installed - and hopefully not too much destroyed by any explosion or collapse that happened when the phones were needed.


It's not just a simple matter of giving the miners a cell phone - if it were that easy, it would have already been done, or a miner would just have brought his own cell phone along.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

Not a normal wireless call - wireless will not penetrate that kind of rock! Wireless equipment would need to be installed - and hopefully not too much destroyed by any explosion or collapse that happened when the phones were needed.


It's not just a simple matter of giving the miners a cell phone - if it were that easy, it would have already been done, or a miner would just have brought his own cell phone along.

Correct!

 

[indigomood]

link to article

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."

Lara Ramsburg, a spokeswoman for Gov. Joe Manchin, said Tuesday that it's also the state's understanding the men tried to escape.

 

[concernedperson]

This is such a sad case all the way around. People trying to earn a living. Conditions less than exemplary. I need more info as the people involved seemed to be sincere, but I have been fooled before.

 

[T'sNana]

Details...I did not assume or imply it was a simple wireless phone but it is not something that these mines don't have access to in aiding the communication with their workers. I am not pushing blame right now, just stating the obvious...get those communications up to date!

Not a normal wireless call - wireless will not penetrate that kind of rock! Wireless equipment would need to be installed - and hopefully not too much destroyed by any explosion or collapse that happened when the phones were needed.


It's not just a simple matter of giving the miners a cell phone - if it were that easy, it would have already been done, or a miner would just have brought his own cell phone along.