Seventh bore hole could break through Thursday

HUNTINGTON — Federal mine safety officials said tonight a seventh bore hole being drilled into the Crandall Canyon Mine could break through early Thursday morning.

By Thursday evening, the families of the six miners trapped nearly 1,900 feet underground could have an answer to the question that has nagged them since the Aug. 6 mine collapse — what happened to the men?

The families met again this evening at a Christian church on the edge of this mining town, where they were updated on the progress by Mine Safety and Health Administration officials.

"They're hopeful that a miracle could happen," family spokesman Sonny Olsen told reporters afterward.

Olsen acknowledged that so much time has passed that some family members are beginning to "come to grips" with the fact that their loved ones are likely dead.

Still, federal authorities said they have not abandoned the six trapped miners.

"It's still a rescue operation," said Rich Kulczewski, an MSHA spokesman.

MSHA said it has drilled 1,443 feet through the mountain with a little more than 400 feet to go. Once the drill pierces the cavity, rescuers will bang on the drill bit in an effort to make contact with the miners. By mid-day Thursday, they will lower a camera and microphone into the mine.

No matter what, Olsen said the families of the trapped miners insist that mine owner Bob Murray and MSHA retrieve the bodies at some point — and not leave them entombed as Murray has suggested.

"They have patience," Olsen said.

The six miners — Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Manuel Sanchez and Brandon Phillips — became trapped Aug. 6 when a portion of the Crandall Canyon Mine collapsed in an event so powerful it registered 3.9 on the Richter scale. On Aug. 16, another seismic event killed three rescuers and injured six others. Underground rescue efforts have been suspended since then.

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