Miners Trapped In WV Coal Mine

[indigomood]

McCloy Getting Stronger

Sago Mine survivor Randal McCloy's stepfather says his condition continues to improve. He says Randy still wears a feeding tube, but "each day he's eating more. Starting out with pudding. He's worked his way up to some chicken nuggets. Some Taco Bell."

http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=8528

 

[concernedperson]

This is good news. All the way around. Hopes for his full recovery.

 

[indigomood]

WASHINGTON - A letter from a Sago coal miner trapped in the Jan. 2 disaster in West Virginia that killed him and 11 others described smoky conditions underground and his fading hope of being rescued, the man's daughter disclosed at a congressional hearing Monday.

Holding back tears, Sarah Bailey, the daughter of George Hamner Jr., shared with a House panel a note her father left behind but which has not been previously publicized.

"We don't hear any attempts at drilling or rescue," Hamner wrote in the letter, written at 2:40 p.m., about eight hours after the explosion occurred. "The section is full of smoke and fumes, so we can't escape."

Hamner went on to say in the note to his daughter and wife Debbie, "Be strong, and I hope no one else has to show you this note. I'm in no pain, but don't know how long the air will last."

more at link

 

[Sassygerl]

Anna McCloy also said her husband left a letter for his wife and children that he wrote before he was rescued.

The letter, found in the lunch box of another miner, said he was not afraid of death and that his family should not grieve for long.

"Anna, I love you so much. To my son, trust in the Lord. To my daughter, stay sweet," Anna McCloy recited from the letter.

"Don't grieve long. I want you to be happy in life."

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/02/09/mccloy.ap/

 

[Details]

And, looks like some strong evidence that it was a freak lightning strike that caused the blast - something unusual.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/14/national/main1404476.shtml

 

[indigomood]

Mine’s methane buildup ignored

April 16, 2006 By Ken Ward Jr.

Five days before the Sago Mine disaster, company officials found increasing levels of methane in and around a sealed area of the mine where the Jan. 2 explosion is believed to have occurred, federal and state investigators have learned.

At least two Sago Mine officials testified about the discovery during closed-door hearings over the past three months, according to previously confidential interview transcripts obtained by the Sunday Gazette-Mail.

The methane concentrations were not yet high enough to be ignited, and the general industry practice is to ignore mine areas that have been sealed. Mine safety experts now say the Sago test results appear to have been a warning that — if heeded — might have helped prevent West Virginia’s worst mining disaster in nearly 40 years.

Sago officials dismissed the methane sampling, and took no preventative steps.

*more at link*

 

[englishleigh]

I saw this thread title and thought, "Oh,no...not again!!" I'm glad this is the old thread about this. SO pleased Randall McCloy is doing well. I still think often about the other miners' families. This tragedy was so unnecessary.