Reader comments
Cousin is willing to risk his life

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Mr. Erickson is a true hero. Good luck!

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

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

rebecca what part of wv are u from?

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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?

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.