Deseret News | Reader comments: Cousin is willing to risk his life

Reader comments
Cousin is willing to risk his life

Interloper | 3:53 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Of course people cannot be sent into the mine while seismic activity of a moderate to high degree is occurring. But, if the activity drops to low, MSHA should consider it. I realize that could take weeks or months. It also seems to me that scientists from academia and MSHA would be monitoring seismic activity at the mine and able to establish forecasts from their accumulated data. They could choose a propitious time.

The other reason to not permanenty close the mine is that doing so will hide additional evidence of what Robert Murray has been up to there. He will bury his mistakes along with the bodies.

Lori S. | 4:09 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

It's not just a cutback on funding for the U.S. Bureau of Mines that is a problem -- the problem is the U.S. Bureau of Mines - at least in Pittsburgh' Bruceton Research Center -- has had ALL of it's funding cancelled. Now it's called the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Bummer, isn't it? They were so close to implementaiton.

Annie | 6:03 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Not a day has gone by since first learning of the mining incident that I haven't prayed for the trapped miners and for their families and friends. Especially now, that the familes can have the strength to endure, that they will be comforted to withstand the long hours of waiting for some kind of closure about their loved ones trapped in the mine. Also, for the families of the heroes who went in to rescue these same men and gave all for that cause. When I read Denny Erickson's comments today, I sensed once again heart wrenching pleas to be able to do something! Family is the most important blessing that we each one have - nothing can replace another person that we love and cherish. God bless you Denny and each member of each of the miner's families involved in this hearbreak. I can promise you that God will ease your burdens and heal your broken hearts if you let Him. Sometimes we only have control of so much and then we have to turn it over to a higher source after we have done all we can. My prayer is that all will be done to find answers and bring closure. I wish I could fix this but I am not that wise but none the less, I do pray that you will find answers no matter how long it takes.

Comments continue below

Kyle | 6:49 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

A valiant offer on Erickson's part. Maybe he should try to stay alive and not go into the mine, work a second job and help support his cousins family instead!

rebecca | 7:31 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

You Mr Erickson have learned what is really valuable in this life, nothing not even millions can replace someone you love, money or material things dont fill that space in your heart, I pray that you all find peace, That you can feel him being cradled in Heavenly Fathers hands even down in that mine, and hes been there with those men from the beginning waiting too ,for you all to be reunited. I read about the miners everyday , and I live in West Virginia, the world cries with you all, and gets angry with you,.... and waits with you. how much longer

SMH | 8:12 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Here is an idea, however far fetched. They don't want to 'risk any more lives' in trying to retrieve these miners (dead or alive). So they hesitate initiating a capsule rescue/recovery. What they could do is take an inmate who is on death rowe, and send him. If their effort is is successful, offer him a sentence reduction, or opportunity for parole as a reward for his service. If he dies....then we lose a life that was scheduled to be done away with anyway.
I know this sounds cold-hearted in a way. But if we are talking about not wanting to risk another innocent life, then risk a life that is of no consequence to society. It's just an idea.

Frank | 8:18 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

We should let all who want to volunteer into the mine and maybe someone will come across the miners, if they dont or something happens just keep sending more and more people and resources into that mine. What we've learned from past experiences is if we keep sending more and more people into that deadly situation for months on end the public will tire of it and demand that we pull out. Now that the government is involved we can leave that pull out date up to the Pres too!

JE | 8:27 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Mr. Erickson's offer is incredibly brave. Respectfully, though, he should remember that his five children need a living father not a dead one. These families are in my thoughts and I hope resolution comes quickly for them.

Let Them R.I.P. | 8:48 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I do not personally know Mr. Erickson so I do not know the ages of his 5 children. What I do firmly believe is that even though he has a right to risk his life he should temper that impulse with knowing that if he did die his 5 children would be without their father. Two cousins have already died in this with one of them being of the 6 and the other during rescue efforts.
Now if there are other people who do not have children (young) and are willing to volunteer that is an entirely different situation in my opinion. As long as they do sign a waiver including forfeit any life-insurance policy money but in that case they better take the person named as the recipient of that policy into account.
*Good idea Kyle.
*SMH, I like your idea but you know that is NEVER going to happen because the ACLU and the 'human rights' types would be all over it.

sml | 8:50 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Mr. Erickson is a true hero. Good luck!

Klimber510 | 9:39 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Erickson going down the hole. Cooler heads should prevail now.

melanie in wv | 9:45 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

That is a very good idea SMH, but probably wont happen.

melanie in wv | 9:46 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

rebecca what part of wv are u from?

Paul | 9:59 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Why not just send a dog down the shaft that is trained to find humans, dead or alive. A battery operated device could be used to record any sounds or even pictures of what the dog finds. the dog could be retrieved by means of a capsule which he could enter on command from above. A small dog would be best because of the size of the required hole.

TVB | 10:09 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

What kind of society and people have we become if we don't value life at any cost? My heart goes out to these minning families who's only hope it is to find out if their loved one is surviving or did not survive. We have technology today to construct and build a space station, replace vital organs and the list goes on and on. My prayer is that someone, somewhere will have the knowledge and know how to reach this miners. Lets not give up hope, miracles still happen in our day and time, prayer does work. God Bless the miners and their families and let Utah show the world that faith in a Higher being is for real. May God hear and answer our prayers.

TC | 10:11 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Well put "Kyle" and "Let Them R.I.P.". The comfort of a living father is much greater than the comfort from recovering the body of a father's cousin. The love and devotion he has to family is strong, but PLEASE show that love and devotion to your his living family. I lost a father to an unfortunate accident, and though I know he was a great man that did great things, there's nothing I wish more than to have him still with me today. The risk is just too great.

KJ Central Point, Oregon | 10:15 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I'm with you SMH!!!!! If they survive the tunneling that will be involved and find the bodies of those miners let them receive a lighter sentence, say life in prison. If they die well the tax payers are then that much more ahead financially and no longer have to foot the bill to keep a person alive who really is of no consequence to society anyway. Besides did their murder victims have a choice to live or die? With this scenario at least the death row inmate has a choice. Just a thought...

GT Cleveland TN | 10:42 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I stand behind the family members that want their loved ones found, alive or dead. If I had a family member in the mine I would give up my life if need be just to attempt a recovery. May God bless the family members, and the people that are willing to risk their lives to find them.There are people willing to go in, and I feel that the trapped miners are being treated wrong if just left there.

Truth hurts | 10:47 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

TVB: I don't think society has ever valued life at any cost and I don't think they should. You have to let reason into the equation at some point and dismiss pure emotion. Do you really think more people should die in the attempt to bring out some lifeless bodies?

Bossman | 11:18 a.m. Aug. 30, 2007

The only question I have is where would the families like to have the hole that can send the capsule to the bottom of the mine? If they knew where the miners were located I would agree, but to drill a hole that big and take such a risk with a mountain that has not stopped shifting in hopes you might be in the right areaid follish. My prayers and thought are with the families and I wish there was a way for them to get some closure. I do admire Mr. Erickson and his desires. What a brave person. God Bless all of you.

litt'l bit | 12:20 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

for one thing all these article are making me sad and mad. People need to put themsevles in the families shoes, if it was your loved one would you leave them down there---alive or dead?

PC girl | 1:38 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I can't even Imagine what the families are going through. I believe I would want to know if my trapped family member was alive down there or not. If it were me down there--I would hope that those who could help would. On the other hand, we do have to be smart about how we help. I think the dog idea and the inmate idea are both worth looking into. It has been a frustrating situation just following the events. I hope it turns out as well as it can for everyone involved.

Kevin | 1:55 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

As I pray these miners will be extracted dead or alive, one would have to wonder if indeed they are alive and extracted from the mine, what mental condition will they be in? Being trapped 2-3 miles in the earth in complete dark hell with little or no food or water can destroy a person psychologically. Would they be the same person they were before this tragedy?

Not trying to be funny or sarcastic here but put yourself in the miner's position and go lock yourself in a closet in complete darkness and stay there for about 3 hrs...if you can last that long. These guys have been in that hell hole for almost a month now.....SAD!

Whatever the case may be, I think these brave men need to be removed from that mine at whatever cost and however long it takes.

Prayers to them and their families.

Dave | 2:00 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I am tired of people telling me to put myself in the families shoes, or saying that Bob Murray has something to hide and therefore wants to quit, and so on.

The top experts in geology and siesmology have concluded that any further efforts to dig any substantial amount into the mountain from any direction has a high degree of causing further collapses.

We cannot just start drilling holes for rescue capsules when we don't even know what compartment they are in. It takes approx. 11 days to dig a three foot hole for the capsule, and there is a high likelyhood of that hole collapsing with the mountain shifting the way it is.

It only takes about 2 days to dig an 8 inch hole for the robot to go down and gather evidence. If they are not in that hole, then they dig another one and check that hole.

Only when they have actually found the miners will they dig a rescue capsule hole and even try to remove the bodies or living miners. No amount of "putting myself in the familes shoes" will change the laws of physics and the laws of common sense. No amount of blaming on their part changes reality.

Bob Murray has been front and center from the beginning, which is very uncharacteristic for a mine owner. He may not be the brightest light on the christmas tree, but he has done his best with what was available. All he has gotten for his trouble is accusations and blame. He is draining his company operating funds which could ultimately cost the jobs of thousands of people nationwide. He is draining his own personal accounts to do what he can.

Joining the blame game does nothing to help anyone. Reality must prevail.

Ciao

Krista Nielsen | 4:26 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I think you should just forget about it, close the mine, because they've been down there for what, 2 1/2 weeks? There is a SLIM chance they may still be alive. And 3 peoples have already died trying to save them, you wan't to kill more people, trying to save peoples who are already dead? I think you should just close it, or else Utah will be in more trouble....

For "let them RIP" | 6:55 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

>>*SMH, I like your idea but you know that is NEVER going to happen because the ACLU and the 'human rights' types would be all over it.>>

You say that like its bad thing. You have something against protecting your Constitutional rights?

ACLU might not take on popular cases, in your opinion (I personally think they are the only thing separating this country from a Dictatorship or Religious rule), but they have done an awesome job of protecting fervently the document our forefathers created with such inspiration.

-none- | 7:44 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I have prayed, and just think it is best if they just leave it alone if they don't find anything. They could seal the mine, make a monument and just let it be. I don't think any other souls should be lost. I mean, what are the chances they are alive? It doesn't make sense that they should find any movement.

Anonymus | 7:57 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I think he has every right to have hope and find his cousin. If you were stuck in that mine you would hope and pray that someone would find you. That is his family member in there, and I know that if my cousin was in there i would want to risk my life too.

Anonymus | 7:59 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

Brenden | 8:32 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

litt'l bit--if it were my family down there, I would initially work every avenue for their rescue. But after the amount of time that has passed, and the almost certain likelihood of their demise due to lack of any revelatory evidence, I would say just put a grave marker at the mouth of the mine and let them rest therein. Seems pointless to me to risk so many other lives and expend resources to this end - just to put them back in the earth again somewhere else. It isn't my ideal solution, but is the pragmatic one, and the one I would choose under the circumstances.

As to the use of criminals for the rescue attempt, I agree with the reasoning, but I am disturbed by the notion that anyone could suppose a life is of no social consequence, even a flawed criminal one. The whole hope and point of the justice system is that people can be reformed, although we judge certain crimes to be horrific beyond reasonable means of achieving it, and recommend death to such as commit them. Their plight is tragic, and the impact on their victims & families on both sides even more so. Their fate is probably even deserved, but still not without consequence. As to their constitutional rights, however, as far as I am concerned, they forfeited those when they chose to live beyond the laws of decent society, and to violently impose their disregard on the life of another. Those were suspended the moment their verdict was reached, and judgment pronounced. In my mere opinion, the only rights criminals have are basic human ones, until such a time as society deems their penance paid and they can be readmitted to abide the same laws which they previously chose to flout.

Inmate redemption | 8:54 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

If and when the time ever comes for a capsule-type recovery, they need to ALLOW a death row inmate to go down the hole (of his own free will) if he wants to. There are plenty of death row inmates who are very sorry now for what they did earlier(to get put on death row)and would LOVE a single chance now to show it and pay back society with at least some good...i.e perhaps SAVE some lives, or attempt to recover the miners bodies. WHO would EVER deny a dying man a chance to do something good for society?????????????????????????? and WHERE exactly would the logic be in that decision...? Anyone person or group who impeded that decision in anyway would face a backlash they could never overcome anyhow!
If the time ever comes and some stupid government body/human rights group interferes and prevents the death row guy from going,(and a FAMILY MEMBER actually dies trying a rescue/recovery of the 6 when a death row inmate could/would have gone), the blood of the family member would then be on their hands (i.e. thegovernment/human rights group/ACLU...WHOEVER tried to stop the death row inmate from going)! SO WHY STOP THEM???
Seems like a win-win. If all goes bad and the inmate dies, well, then it still counts for something that the inmate did what they could.
FAMILIES OF THE MINERS, you are ALL in are hearts and prayers. May the almighty, all-knowing God give you peace as time drifts on.
Love, from the Indiana Heartland

Brenden | 9:02 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

"ACLU might not take on popular cases, in your opinion ... but they have done an awesome job of protecting fervently the document our forefathers created with such inspiration."

I could be wrong, but I don't recall ever reading in those same documents that it was the ACLU's prerogative to decide what is constitutional and otherwise. Nor have I found a mandate in the same for the ACLU to protect them. That responsibility was given to the Judicial branch, and to a great extent, the citizens of this country themselves. But here was have a self-appointed group interpreting the founding documents according to their own agenda of what they think should be constitutional or not. While they are welcome to their own opinion, many have learned that if you don't agree with the ACLU's view of life they'll sue you into submission or financial ruin for daring to disagree. Never mind that that is also your right.

It isn't so much that the cases they so often choose aren't popular, but rather that they fly flagrantly in the face of the will of the majority of the American people as represented in every opinion poll I have read for the last decade. Sure, the vocal minority think they are heroes for justifying their victims complex, while they systematically erode the same rights of the silent majority in the name of 'diversity', 'tolerance' and 'self esteem'. Good ideas, but the way they implement them they are a one way street. Funny how those who shout the loudest for tolerance are often the most intolerant of the bunch. No, all said and done, the ACLU does no favors to America, and they have usurped from its citizens the free exercise of some of their most fundamental liberties.

Laurie | 11:52 p.m. Aug. 30, 2007

I firmly believe these familes members and others should be allowed to go into the mines to help locate their relatives. If they are willing to risk their lives, please let them. It's what they need to do. We are all leaving this world some day, some way, some how. If it's searching for a cousin or other family member leave them be. I pray these men can be found alive. I pray we can take all the politics out of this and get these men out of there, one way or another.

Let Them R.I.P | 11:29 a.m. Aug. 31, 2007

IMO, ANYBODY with 5 children that would risk their life to retrieve the DEAD-body of ANYONE is no parent at all. Ones w/o minor children is one thing but otherwise no.
*Kevin, please stop perpetuating the myth they're DOWN miles. They're absolutely NOT miles UNDER the Earth, miles comes in LATERALLY.
*Dave, Funny isn't it. Some of the same people now saying ignore geological and other experts about safety are the same ones that agree with the same experts that said it was a 'mine even' vs an earthquake. Meaning some people see and hear just what they want. 'Spot on' on Murray. He gave facts given him and tried beyond what most would physically-financially-and-emotionally and in turn got piï¿½atas of him smashed.
*The ACLU here would be nothing but trouble and that's what I was saying and meant and I'm not going down that rabbit-trail because that would be O.T. and take too long.
*TC I'm sorry for your loss.
*I would NEVER want relatives of mine to attempt to retrieve my DEAD body in these conditions and in turn risk leaving their children (also my relatives) fatherless. Trust me, I have cousins from 1st to 6th that are like immediate family but in these exact set of circumstances I wouldn't want those especially with minor children to risk it nor would I risk it for them if my kids were small nor would THEY want me to either. My family is realistic and yes our family had a relative in a mine accident that was in-fact severely maimed for life and almost died.
*Some inmates can NEVER be redeemed like John Couey who buried that girl alive ON PURPOSE so I would DENY him as an example.
*This is mute-talk because MSHA isn't going to allow it.

ELK | 5:18 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Being a cousin myself of Denny and Don Erickson, we all want to find them DEAD or ALIVE. I have 2 young children myself, and have never been in a Mine, but knowing what my Aunt and Uncle and the whole family is going through right now, I would risk my life to find Don and the other 5 myself if I could. We can't have closure until they are found, and it's tearing us apart inside. Think of how you would feel if your loved one was trapped under 2000 feet of mountain and you didn't know where he was and you had to go to a mountain to tell him good-bye. We as families don't want to risk anymore lives, but at the same time we want and deserve that closure and if people are willing to volunteer and know what the risks are, bless them and let them try what they can. However, MSHA will not allow anyone into the Mine until it is safe, which could be never, meaning we may never have our closure.

Michele | 9:15 p.m. Sept. 3, 2007

I am also a cousin of Don Erickson and I agree whole-heartedly with ELK. It would be a terrible thing to not have closure for the family. If family members and others who know the danger, and their families, are willing to go in to hopefully find them, they should be allowed to do so.

ELK2 | 10:11 a.m. Sept. 10, 2007

LET HIM GO IN, HE HAS THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD!
it may not happen,but in his heart and many others its time,its time to bring them home, i know the Ericksons,even though i was unable to show fourth for thememorial I ran one up here 2 thousand miles away over 2,000 people showed up to show how much they cared for people they didnt know.let him go in and retrieve the man,they deserve more than to be entombed in a stupid mountain.
ive been in a mine,my father used to work with kerry and don years ago,he used to work in the mine that caught fire in helper,and in the crandal canyon mine among other and let me tell ya if it was my daddy,they wouldent be nothin that could hold me back. let him go in.he knows the challenges,hes willing,send him with food water oxygen a aaxe and some survival toos first aid kit and some kind of DEVICE that can be read ...(somewhere there is something like that) if men ca walk on the moon,and we can view the tinantic then this is POSSIBLE!!
its been long enough!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.