Officials: Trapped Miners Might Never Be Found
Officials said the six trapped Utah miners might never be found after two weeks of rescue efforts and the completion of the fourth drilled hole Sunday night which indicated insufficient oxygen to support life.
"It's likely these miners may not be found" said Rob Moore, vice president of Murray Energy Corp., co-owner of the Crandall Canyon Mine, according to The Associated Press.
Drilling of the fourth hole – more than 1,500 feet deep – was completed Sunday. However, the air readings from the hole detected just 11 to 12 percent as opposed to normal oxygen levels at 21 percent.
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Family members of the miners have expressed anger over the likelihood of the rescue operation ending without even proving the miners were dead or retrieving the bodies for burial.
"We felt that they've given up and that they are just waiting for the six miners to expire," said Sonny Olsen, a spokesman for the families, on Sunday night according to AP.
"We are here at the mercies of the officials in charge and their so-called experts. Precious time is being squandered here, and we do not have time to spare," Olsen said.
Six miners working in Crandall Canyon mine in Utah have been trapped since the cave-in Aug. 6. Rescuers were hopeful at first when an earlier test indicated good air level and after detecting a "noise" or vibration last week.
Rescuers continue to be optimistic even after three rescue workers were killed and another six injured last Thursday during the third cave-in since the initial disaster.
However, Sunday's air test coupled with two weeks of rescue efforts and no strong evidence of life have officials quickly losing hope.
The family members, on the other hand, demanded rescuers to immediately start drilling a 30-inch hole which a rescue capsule could be let down. The miners' love ones said they believe that was the safest and most effective way to rescue the miners.
"If rescue is not possible," Olsen added. "The capsule is the only method to recover our loved ones so that they can have a proper burial."
Workers began a fifth borehole, more than 2,000 feet deep, into the mountain Sunday but officials expect to also find insufficient air there.
"Our thoughts and our prayers and our deepest sympathies go out to the families – for all those families involved in the two tragedies here," said the mine's co-owner.
The trapped men are: Louis Alonso Hernandez, 23; Manuel Sanchez, 41; Kerry Allred, 57; Carlos Payan, in his 20s; Brandon Phillips, 24; and Don Erickson, 50.
