HUNTINGTON — His absence was noticeable.

Bob Murray, the outspoken owner of the Crandall Canyon Mine, did not appear at a news conference Friday to discuss the deaths of three rescue workers and the injuries of six others. He was up at the mine, dealing with the fallout of the collapse, mine safety officials said.

"Because of Mr. Murray's involvement in the rescue effort, I'm certain you can understand that he wanted to be here," said Rob Moore, vice president of Murray Energy Corp.

UtahAmerican Energy, which runs the mine, said Murray himself ran into the mine shortly after the collapse and helped rescue some of the trapped miners. Yet when reporters — and even a heckler — asked to know where Murray was on Friday, Moore did not respond.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, UtahAmerican Energy indicated that Murray will not likely be speaking to reporters for some time.

"As a result of Mr. Murray's direct participation in the recovery of the affected miners and his deep concern and commitment to all Murray Energy employees, the contacts listed above will be handling all media contacts in the future," the statement said.

A call to Murray Energy Corp. and UtahAmerican Energy officials who are designated to speak to reporters was not returned Friday.

Murray has been the public face of the mine disaster since it began Aug. 6 — a passionate man who has appeared at numerous news conferences, showing his pride in his employees who have been working nonstop since the six miners became trapped.

At times, the coal mine owner has been combative, sparring with seismologists over earthquakes vs. mine collapses, denouncing global warming, promoting the benefits of coal energy, blasting union "lackeys" and even calling out news reporters he said wrote or broadcast inaccurate statements.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, praised Murray's dedication.

"This man has suffered a lot," Hatch said. "He's suffering because of these accidents, these people working for him. I have a lot of respect for him."

But Hatch said it was time for Murray to step away from the cameras and the microphones.

"I'd rather have the (Mine Safety and Health Administration) people handle the questions and answers here," he said.

In the mining communities of Huntington and Price, sentiment against Murray seemed to be growing. The writers and editors of "The Militant," a paper that describes itself as "a socialist newsweekly published in the interests of working people," was handing out copies of their latest edition Friday with the message: "No miner has to die!"

"The truth must be told about the unsafe conditions facing miners at Crandall Canyon," read part of the paper's editorial.

The paper blames Murray and his company for both disasters.

"Responsibility for these men's lives lies with the bosses," according to the editorial.

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Contributing: Pat Reavy, Deseret Morning News

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com