Miners Trapped In WV Coal Mine

[Shadow205]

The Coal Miners prayer.
By W.Calvert

Each dawn as we rise, lord we know all to well,
We face only one thing - a pit filled with hell.
To scratch out a living the best that we can,
But deep in the heart, lies the soul of a man.

With black covered faces, and hard calloused hands,
We work the dark tunnels, unable to stand.
To labour and toil as we harvest the coals,
We silently pray "lord please harvest our souls".

 

[Anngelique]

The Coal Miners prayer.
By W.Calvert

Each dawn as we rise, lord we know all to well,
We face only one thing - a pit filled with hell.
To scratch out a living the best that we can,
But deep in the heart, lies the soul of a man.

With black covered faces, and hard calloused hands,
We work the dark tunnels, unable to stand.
To labour and toil as we harvest the coals,
We silently pray "lord please harvest our souls".

That brings tears to my eyes.

 

[IdahoMom]

I pray that these men did not have to suffer. I have a great fear of being buried alive. Just the thought of these men being buried underground sends shivers up my spine and an irrational fear through my core. God bless them and their families.

Me too! I couldn't tolerate an MRI a few years ago...my hat is off to these men for doing what so many are unwilling to do.
My heart goes out to them and their families at this agonizing time.

 

[michelle]

I pray that these men did not have to suffer. I have a great fear of being buried alive. Just the thought of these men being buried underground sends shivers up my spine and an irrational fear through my core. God bless them and their families.

me too, its so freaking sad!!

 

[Lesleegp]

I have no mining experience obviously, but my ignorance has to ask.....why aren't escape tunnels built for mines like these? Nothing elaborate, just a way out every 1000 feet or so......or an exit at the end of the mine........and air vents........there has to be a safer way.

 

[Anngelique]

Me too! I couldn't tolerate an MRI a few years ago...my hat is off to these men for doing what so many are unwilling to do.
My heart goes out to them and their families at this agonizing time.

Me too IM. I had an MRI and it was an open one and I started having some panic attacks after that. Never had one in my life until then. They had to take me out of the MRI twice.

 

[michelle]

did i hear that the carbon monoxide levels were 3 times what the norm is?? i dont know i heard something about carbon monoxide....:waitasec:

 

[Sassygerl]

did i hear that the carbon monoxide levels were 3 times what the norm is?? i dont know i heard something about carbon monoxide....:waitasec:

I think it's 3 times the deadly level of carbon monoxide. I'm feeling very anxious about this new conference that is to begin anytime now. It keeps getting pushed back and the families have been told the news and from what I've seen they are gathered at a church

 

[michelle]

I think it's 3 times the deadly level of carbon monoxide. I'm feeling very anxious about this new conference that is to begin anytime now. It keeps getting pushed back and the families have been told the news and from what I've seen they are gathered at a church

i am watching it now...

 

[Becba]

i am watching it now...

Can you tell us what is said?

 

[michelle]

Can you tell us what is said?

they said something that the explosion resembled a methane (sp?) explosion, and that it may be possible that the miners have rigged something to stay alive but they still do not know

 

[michelle]

they said they expect to reach minors in 3-5 hours!!!!.......

 

[gamegirl]

NEWS CONFERENCE:

There is no collapse damage (ie roof collapse) that is impedeing forward progress toward the missing miners. There is however evidence of collapse of the ventilation infrastructure.

Even with continued slow forward due to air safety data collection they expect to reach the far end of the left side of tunnel (where the miners should be) within the next 2-5 hours.

Was stated that at that time they should know if they still have a rescue or a recovery situation on their hands.

Best hope is that when they reach the end of that tunnel they will find the miners barricaded into an area with some sort of ingeniously rigged system to allow for clean air. (paraphrased) Still talking hope but also being realistic.

Reporters wanting to begin discussion of who's to blame and what about all of the previous safety violations.

No next scheduled conference but updates as available (target update within next 2-5 hours)

 

[Anngelique]

NEWS CONFERENCE:

There is no collapse damage (ie roof collapse) that is impedeing forward progress toward the missing miners. There is however evidence of collapse of the ventilation infrastructure.

Even with continued slow forward due to air safety data collection they expect to reach the far end of the left side of tunnel (where the miners should be) within the next 2-5 hours.

Was stated that at that time they should know if they still have a rescue or a recovery situation on their hands.

Best hope is that when they reach the end of that tunnel they will find the miners barricaded into an area with some sort of ingeniously rigged system to allow for clean air. (paraphrased) Still talking hope but also being realistic.

Reporters wanting to begin discussion of who's to blame and what about all of the previous safety violations.

No next scheduled conference but updates as available (target update within next 2-5 hours)

Thanks for the detailed update! :blowkiss:

 

[PrayersForMaura]

I am praying to God that the miners were further along in the tunnel than everyone thought and that the explosion may have blocked in enough ground that maybe they were in on the other side of a wall or something, safe from the C.O. Miracles do happen.

 

[scandi]

The gentleman said it's going to take a miracle, but that miracles do happen.

I have the same claustrophobic fears you girls do. When I had my MRI they doped me up so good I don't think I moved for that 1/2 hour. The next day on the East Coast there was a guy in a MRI machine that caught fire! I swore I'd never have one again. But with bad knees . . . .

I can't think of anything worse either that being buried alive. Either you are or or not claustrophobic - I don't think there is much inbetween.


Scandi

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I don't think too many coal miners are clautrophopic. However, when there's a cave in, its probably way too close for comfort. I don't see why more safety improvements aren't in place to help protect these guys. It just seems to unnecessary to have these guys helpless in the ground with our technological advances.

 

[gamegirl]

There's always room to believe in miracles. I'm hoping it all ends well.

The disturbing part (to me) is that they are saying no structural (roof) collapse.... I'm reading into what I haven't heard said directly: Sounds like they are more concerned the explosion affected the ventilation infrastructure and created an air environment which would become instantly toxic.

I'm still praying though.

 

[Buzz Mills]

I don't think too many coal miners are clautrophopic. However, when there's a cave in, its probably way too close for comfort. I don't see why more safety improvements aren't in place to help protect these guys. It just seems to unnecessary to have these guys helpless in the ground with our technological advances.

It's the same reasons the airlines use for not installing the latest security features---it's the cost of implementing it, versus the risk involved, but coal mining is way behind the power curve on safety and security, even though they have made great strides in the last 30 years.

 

[Lesleegp]

I just saw a clip of the entrance of the mine. It does seem to have some type of concrete framing around the entrance. Otherwise it's all muddy.

Also from my understanding, there was no cave in anywhere along the mine shaft. Makes me wonder why the miners didn't make their way back up the shaft. Easy to Monday morning quarterback......so many what if's.....