WV WV - Wes Blackburn, 38, abandoned Blackhawk underground mine, Wharton, Boone County, 26 Nov 2018

[doodles1211]

Where in the mine is copper? And weren't several other people lost in a mine recently and suspected of the same thing?

I wondered the same. I was thinking in any wiring or equipment left down there?

 

[MsFacetious]

How do they know for sure Wes didn't get out and flee? I highly doubt it was guarded every second.
I'm guessing if he was in the mine he was dead when rescuers went in if they didn't hear anything. He would have understood by then he needed help.
I don't think it's reasonable to ask others to risk their lives to recover the body. Though if it was my child I would want them to... I don't think it's a reasonable request.

 

[GraceG]

Given the roof collapse, it was the right call not to go in further. Given those in the mine were committing a crime, it would not be unheard of to give authorities false information as to the location of the missing man, especially in he has an active warrant out for his arrest. The mine was one way in and out. Either he was past the point of the roof collapse and not able to escape or he was gone long before the search. I understand the parent's view, as a parent myself, but you can't risk others lives any farther. The other rescue in the news was risky but it didn't have the same danger of collapse that this mine did.

 

[iulia]

Article from Sept. '19

More than two dozen mine rescue workers made their way through the Blackhawk Mine in Boone County Wednesday, attempting to find a man who allegedly disappeared inside 10 months ago, but called the search off after impassable conditions about 80 feet into the mine.

Search unsuccessful for man who disappeared inside Boone County mine months ago