Tension Builds as Miners Likely Left for Dead
Tension is escalating between the families of the 6 missing coal miners trapped underground and the owners of the mine as the rescue effort faces a likely termination Wednesday after the completion of the fifth hole and after more than two weeks of searching.
The narrow fifth hole was scheduled to be completed early Wednesday and is expected to show no sign of life in Crandall Canyon. If that is the case, the rescue effort might be called off and the miners left entombed in the mine.
Though the families want to continue the rescue effort – clinging onto the hope that the six men are still alive – the families' spokesman said when the operation ends the family members will finally start "to grieve and to heal."
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"I've witnessed these families and they're strong people," said Sonny J. Olsen, an attorney and the spokesman for the families, according to The Associated Press. "These are very hardy people, and tragedy is not new to the mining industry. These families know what can happen in these mines. I don't know that it makes it any easier."
Yet despite the spokesman's calm words, a heated exchange took place between a friend of one of the miners and the co-owner of the mine at the funeral of a killed rescuer Tuesday.
The miner's friend confronted co-owner Bob Murray and accused him of skimping on the rescue efforts. He then held out to Murray a dollar bill.
"This is just to help you out so you don't kill him," the man said.
Murray was said to be clearly shocked by the accusation and refused to take the money. He finally threw the bill on the ground when the man would not take it back.
"I'll tell you what, son, you need to find out about the Lord," Murray responded.
He further defended himself early Wednesday against criticisms from the families, "I didn't desert anybody. I've been living on this mountain every day, living in a little trailer," said Murray to AP.
Emotions have run high with the families and miner's right group blaming Murray Energy Corp. and the federal government for not stopping miners from working in a mine they contend is too dangerous.
"No one took the time to see that it was a recipe for disaster," said Phil Smith, a spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America, on Tuesday.
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 a 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 had officials quickly losing hope.
Workers are finishing the fifth borehole, more than 2,000 feet deep, into the mountain but officials expect to also find insufficient air there. Rescuers will take air readings, lower a microphone and camera down the hole despite expectation of the same result as the previous four attempts – no signs of life.
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.
The United Mine Workers called on Tuesday for an independent investigation into the mine, the collapse and the rescue efforts.
