From Deseret News archives:
Families, MSHA identify 3 miners killed in Utah coal mine cave-in
Officials with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said a 1.6-magnitude pressure-shifting mountain "bump" at 6:35 p.m. Thursday caused the collapse during the effort to reach six miners trapped nearly 1,900 feet underground.
A 60-foot-long wall of coal blew out with such force that it piled coal and debris nearly 5 feet high, burying the rescuers, said Kevin Stricklin, coal safety director for MSHA.
Stricklin said it took another team of rescuers an hour to retrieve the buried men, digging with their hands if they had to. The collapse has resulted in the indefinite suspension of underground operations at the mine, with the looming question of when, if ever, they will resume.
The collapse was the result of materials shifting inside the mine.
"It hit with tremendous force," said assistant U.S. Labor Secretary Richard Strickler, who is over MSHA.
"It knocked out all of the ground support we had in place," he said.
Two of the dead have been identified by family and friends as Brandon Kimber and Dale Black, Crandall Canyon Mine employees.
Louviere said Jensen was assigned to the Price office, which is part of the district office based in Denver, as a member of the special investigations group. The group is assigned to investigate mine accidents for criminal intent on the part of mine owners.
Jensen began his career with MSHA in 2001 as a coal mine inspector at the Colorado office. In July 2003, he was transferred to Price as a roof control specialist.
In a statement released this afternoon, UtahAmerican Energy said five of the six injured also worked for UtahAmerican, while the other worked for MSHA.
Speaking to reporters today, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said the rescue effort has gone from a tragedy to a catastrophe.
"These men died as heroes," he said. "I can think of no better way to express our love for a fellow human being than to risk your life for someone else's as we saw last night."
Huntsman, federal authorities and mine company officials met with the families of the six trapped miners this morning, discussing options in the aftermath of this latest collapse.
Recent comments
I would like to know if they have given up on all atemps to rescue...
Dave Murphy | Sept. 9, 2007 at 11:03 a.m.
The instant the first rumble started I firmly believe God had his...
Just my thoughts | Aug. 20, 2007 at 6:23 a.m.
There WAS an ambulance at the mine every time I was there. The mine...
SanpeteSister | Aug. 20, 2007 at 1:01 a.m.
- Photos: Disability outreach 11:24 p.m.
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah 11:01 p.m.
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck 11:00 p.m.
- Utahns want health care reform bills 10:57 p.m.
- 20 years ago this week 10:52 p.m.
- Wildcats win conference road opener 10:51 p.m.
- Oden hurt, done for season? 10:50 p.m.
- Vonn gets 2nd win at World Cup 10:49 p.m.
- Tidbits about the USS Utah 10:48 p.m.
- Urn of baby rests with sailors 10:48 p.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
309 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
247 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
192 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
104 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
I'm glad the democrats are against making someone prove the are a US citizen...
A BYU VS USC Vegas bowl. Since I have spent the last 8 months living in So....
Todd: Meaning that I stick by them like a true fan. If thats the case then...
political power by provoking others. The holocaust never happened, Iran...
Dear Mr. Forrest: You forgot one important thing: 26-23. You lost all...
I can’t understand why BYU teams aren’t universally known as the...
Four elements out of a 2100 page bill: That's some realistic polling. A...
BYU 26-utah 23. Utah state = after thought.
I'm not worried about your first admendment rights. But I sure wish you would...
What's dumb about the title to this article is that Glenn Beck doesn't speak...



