Posted by
Conservative Wordsmith on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:48:53 AM
Conservative Wordsmith writes: Sonny Olsen, family spokesperson for the Utah miners still missing in Crandall Canyon Mine near Huntington, Utah since August 6, says that the families have not given up hope. The families would like both the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and Murray Energy to drill a large hole in which a rescue capsule could be dropped. Their feelings are that even if it should turn out that the six miners are no longer capable of being rescued, their bodies could at least be brought up in the rescue capsule for a proper burial. Officials have told them they do not want to take any risks that would injure or kill any more rescuers, but are still leaving the option for a rescue capsule open. Click here to read the rest of this CNN.com news story called “Miners' families blast officials, saying, 'We have not lost hope.’”
"Richard Stickler, head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, said eight experts examined the condition of the central Utah mine and found 'overwhelming' evidence that unpredictable seismic activity and unstable mine pillars make it too dangerous to continue rescue efforts. The rescue effort was halted Thursday after three workers were killed and six injured in a cave-in. But Stickler said if there is any indication the miners are alive, they would consider digging an opening down to them from above and try to get them out with a rescue capsule." Click Cnn.com to read the entire article, “Mine too unstable to keep digging, experts say”.
Could all of this have been prevented? According to the president of the United Mine Workers of America, this tragic series of events should not have happened: ''The president of the United Mine Workers of America issued a statement saying 'all of these deaths were needless and preventable.' 'It is the responsibility of the mine operator and federal authorities to ensure the safety of both those who mine the coal and those who attempt to rescue them. We must question whether they fulfilled their responsibilities at Crandall Canyon Mine,' Cecil E. Roberts said in his statement." Thanks again to Cnn.com for the article “Tunneling halted after three Utah mine rescuers killed”.
Hopefully something good will result from all of this. Perhaps hard lessons will be learned as to how to prevent accidents like this from happening in the future, and, also, how to prevent well-meaning rescuers from injuries and unexpected deaths. God weeps for the injured rescue workers and for the three rescuers who perished while searching for their lost brothers. God hears the prayers of the six missing miners from the depths of the earth.
My Related Posts
Abiding Hope For Utah Miners
Rescuers Still Searching For Utah Miners
Pray For Utah Miners - True American Heroes
*The original date of this revised post was August 21, 2007.
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin, author of the Conservative Wordsmith Weblog, appreciates your thoughts and comments.