Reader comments
Search is over: 'Eagle we mourn for those we lost'

Dan | 1:29 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

My heart aches for these families. My daughter's friend is Don Erickson's niece, and they so hoped for a different outcome. Just when I feel that I have problems--and all of us do--I just have to look around me a little and realize there are others with problems so much worse. May God be with these families and give them strength at this time.

Camille | 4:41 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

My heart goes out to all these families. I so hoped for a different outcome then this. Our prayers are with these families that God may pour his Spirit out on them and give them some comfort and peace.

Mary | 5:21 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

And may they rest in peace and live on the hearts and minds of all of those they left behind. God speed.

Comments continue below

James | 6:25 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

This is a horrible tragedy, my prayers goes out to this entire, industry, community and the families of these men. I am so very sadden.

JWR | 6:41 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Finally, the families can now move on and hopefully the lawyers and media will allow them to find peace to mourn their loved ones in privacy. Death comes knocking in so many different ways and we are never prepared but it is part of the plan of life and we have no control oover when or where. God Bless the families that they have the strength to pick up move forward. It does not heal to continue to find blame and sometimes there is no answer to satisfy, read and reread the "FOOTPRINTS" in the sand and know that God is with you if you allow him to be

Danite | 7:34 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

"Now is not a good time," is what a woman said when your reporter called the night the search was suspended. Please, and I mean this sincerely, don't intrude on grieving families for the sake of getting me such obvious and unnecessary quotes for your articles. I already knew that the families were saddened by the loss of their loved ones, and if you had much sense, you would have known it too.

Summer | 8:09 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the miners loved ones.

Tallie | 8:12 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

It is sad for the loss, however it is about time. Now the families can start to try to heal. My thoughts and prayers are with the families.

Mark In Houston | 8:45 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I believe that the families and the company get together and establish the site as a cemetary and errect grave stones in honor of those who perish inside the mine and those rescurers who died in an attempt to reach there fellow miners.

The Bible says that we do not know the number of days of our life here on earth. However for those who belief in Christ have an eternal life waiting for them in Heaven.

Psalms 23 has always been my favorite passage and it fits this situation. Also the poem Footprint in the Sand is also a very fitting poem for times like these.

May the Lord be with the families, friends and co-workers during these trouble times, but rejoice in knowing that the believers are home in a better place. AMEN.

MATB | 9:04 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I am so sad for the families of these men. May the Lord pour out comfort on them. Now I hope that blame and law suits don't cloud the lives of those people too. Life is just too short to look for blame, and only causes stress for other families.

Hope | 9:09 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

God bless all of the families who have been impacted by this tragity. Remember that the spirits of those men are free. Only their worldly bodies are intombed in that mine, their souls soar.

Ryan | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Calling it off because all they found was... WATER???!!!

Hello?? There's water down there! Do you know how long they could survive with a water source? They could still be alive.

Mark In Houston Again | 9:54 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Ryan, you forgot there is mud mixed with the water and debris etc, not just water. And let's be realistic, they have not found any oxygen level that would support life in any of the holes bored and it has been close to a month now.

I truely believe that when the sides came in on the miners, they did not have a chance to escape. Also note when the rescuers tried to move all the rubble the sides came in on them too.

It is time to let go and accept whats happen. It is a terrible event.

John in Alaska | 10:07 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I am a mining engineer. I worked for many years underground and was trained extensively in mine safety and rescue. Because of this, I feel a close kinship for these miners and their families, and I have followed this situation as close as possible. As an outside observer, I think the rescue efforts have been as complete and thorough as they can be without the potential loss of even more life. I feel the decision to halt the effort is about the only option left at this point. I commend the owners of the mine, MSHA, and all the men and women involved in rescue efforts. Mostly, I express my sorrow for the loss of these men. I grieve for their families as they mourn the loss. May God bless them and sustain them through this difficult time.

Dianne in Ohio | 10:44 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

"John in Alaska" has so appropriately stated what most of us would like to say. God bless all the miners and "thank you, John".

Mark | 11:07 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I grieve for the families. Condolences. Let your loved ones memories be ones of joy. Let the healing begin... and healing never comes from seeking whatever justice might be perceived of next. Leave it alone. Get rid of the lawyers. Where your love ones rest is of no importance. Leave it alone. Mourn, remember them and forgive. Today is a very sad day, but... Peace will at last come if you'll allow it.

troopsta | 12:08 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

GOD BLESS THOSE WE LOST, WHO WERE JUST GOING OUT SO THAT THEY COULD SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. GOD BLESS THOSE FAMILIES, MAY THEY BE COMFORTED IN THIS GREAT TIME OF LOSS.

Deborah | 12:55 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

God Bless the families and help them to being healing. Perhaps the Deseret News could print the beautiful picture of the Eagle in flight taken at the ceremony yesterday for each of the families to help them begin thier difficult journey forward with their lives.

Melissa | 1:55 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I think that you have to know that the lord is involved here, and that your loved ones are not suffering. They are at peace with the lord. It would be really nice to have closure, and lay there bodies to rest, however remember your loved ones would not want you going through what you are. They are in a better place, and one day you will all meet again with out your bodies which you had here on this earth. I hope you find peace knowing you will all meet again. The lord has promised us that it will all work out in the end. We pray for all of you missing your loved ones. Someone once told me when I lost my brother that we were being so selfish for being sad, because if you think about it, we should be happy for them and there accomplishments here on earth, and that they are living in a better place than us. They are preparing a way for us to come join them. God Bless all of you for being so strong. You will meet your loved ones again.We will continue to pray for you...

tom | 3:22 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

even though i dont know any of the miners. this has devestated me..why i dont know..but i will say..i will never forget you minners..may you rest in piece

Doug Barber | 4:29 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

These men have not died in vain.

With the U and the Y nearby, I am confident that new attention by some very smart and humane folks will be directed to the unique problems facing western USA mines, which are deeper than eastern mines by a factor of 3 or 4. It's a matter that urgently needs interdepartmental research bringing together physicists, engineers, and geologists. Utah is blessed with some of the best in all three areas, and could really make a difference for future mine safety.

May the angels bear these men who lost their lives in honorable labor to paradise, and may God send comfort the bereaved who must for now remain here below.

Dianne in Utah | 8:31 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

My heart goes out to all the families and friends of these miners - and everyone involved in the mining industry. It was a terrible tragedy. I'm sure the Lord will comfort and strengthen you - and know that there have been thousands and thousands of people like me and my family (if not millions!) praying for you. And we continue to do so.

Clarissa from New Mexico | 8:49 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

....at a loss of words. I am so sorry.

Sheila-Birmingham Al | 9:21 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

As a Widow myself, i can understand the fear, terror and heartache that these wives and children have suffered,but please be comforted in the fact that God is in Control and has alway's been,he will be the ultimate comforter if you will just ask him!
I know you want to find your loved ones,but remember
this body is only a shell for our soul's,and as the
Bible say's it is from Dust to Dust!!!My prayer's are with you......

Anonymous | 10:18 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I agree with Ryan there may be a small possibility they could be found alive. May God Bless all those in charge, the miners and their families.

Karon | 10:38 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I am so sorry for the famlies, may the Lord give them the peace they will need. I have stayed with this from day one as if I knew them. These men were like brothers to each other. My son is a fireman and I know how close they become. I think if it had been done differant in the first place maybe they could of found. I think Mr. Murray knew if mines were not right and he let these men go in there anyway. This will be something he will live with for the rest of his life and I think they should shut all of his mines down forever. I know we have to forgive as Jesus forgives us but sometimes it is hard, I know this sounds funny but in a way I think some of these men are still alive. Just waiting for them to come. I think they should of went back to the hole where they heard something and put that camera down there. Mr. Murray said he knew about the camera from day one. What on earth was he thinking about? I hope they will find peace and the Lord will be with always and Bless the ones who had small children.

Miners Wife In Illinois | 12:00 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Poem Written By Irving E.Rice

(A Tribute To The Coal Miners)

(When Coal Dust Turns To Gold)

With buckets packed and hard hats on,

They go to earn their pay.

Miners have a special bond,

They live it every day.

All miners share the burden,

When one has lost his life.

The coal mines never could replace,

The kiss he gave his wife.

It's a special kind of job,

Only miners do.

No matter how far down they go,

Angels go there too!

We miss the ones that God called home,

And the jokes that they have told.

The coal dust floors they use to walk,

Now have turned to gold.

Deep in the earth,across the land,

The miners did their best.

Their place of final rest.

I pray for all of the families involved and pray that God will watch over you and help heal your hearts and take away all your pain. Just remember these men will always be in your hearts forever, and one day you will meet again.

Anonymous | 12:14 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

I would like to thank all those people who tried to rescue the miners. It wasn't an easy task to drill all the holes and I'm sorry for the outcome. I had hoped, with many, that the rescue efforts would reveal men alive. It is hard to face the fact that they are not. However, if they have died, I'm sure they would be happy to have their final resting place where they have worked and given their lives so we can have electricity and products from the coal industry. I hope the miners' families will feel their loved ones near and have guidance from a loving Father in Heaven who will bleass them.

frostfire451 | 12:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

i work in a mine, don't take the ones you love for granted. it's not as easy as you think.

Max in Seattle | 1:11 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Very sad indeed for the families and friends of these men.

What a bunch of religious BS from all of you though.

Hopefully the families involved can get some closure somehow as the bodies are likely to remain entombed in the mine.

I am sure these men will be remembered and missed as long as there friends and families survive.

Louise | 2:29 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

As a decendent of coal miners in Wales and in thte U.S. I mourn for the miners and their families. If they survived at all those not familiar with mining ought to be aware that it is tradition that the trapped miners write a note to their families and place it in their lunch box for the families is case they don't make it. Not only do the families want to give a proper burial to their loved ones but to know what their last message was. I think they deserve that even if Mr. Murray has to spend his money to clear the top of the mountain, the way they do in many locations like Wyoming and give these families what they need to do to assure they men are treated with some worth and dignity. I also found it strange that Mr Murray chose to dig the last hole in the kitchen area where the miners were taught to go in case of a cave in, wouldn't that have been he first place you would look?

T.D.Foster | 6:57 a.m. Sept. 2, 2007

From far away in Britain I have followed the progress of this accident and subsequent tragedy closely.
I am not a believer but,in my own way,I prayed that these men would be brought out,alive.Other brave men have sacrficed themselves for to aid their comrades.To all of them we should erect a memorial.
My heart goes out to all of those suffering as a result of this disaster.

Wendy | 10:00 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

To the six miners families and to all the people involved with trying to rescue them and for the others ,that gave their lives to try to save them.May God bless and comfort you all and it is a time of mourning and rememberance of the bravery of these men.The world should all come together and say a prayer for them and there families.

Anonymous | 8:54 a.m. Sept. 5, 2007

Grieving our loved ones is difficult. No one person grieves the same nor at the same rate. Anger and denial are very real, but know that there are many, many people who pray for each of these families.

We not only pray for the those lost in the first collapse: Allred, Erikson, Hernandez, Payan, Phillips, Sanchez and families but those lost in the rescue attempt: Black, Jensen, & Kimber families as well as those who sustained injuries (the six forgotten families, the names I do not know.

There are others also hurting: the mining officials including Mr. Murray who himself tried to physically rescue those trapped in the rescue attempt, the MSHA officials who also lost an inspector, the new mayor wanting her community to pull together, the Sheriff's department, pastors and countless others who know the families in this mining community.

We remember each of you this day in prayer, but especially the families who will forever have a part of their lives missing: a spouse, a father, a grandfather, a father, a brother, an uncle...YOU will be missed and LOVED and REMEMBERED.

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14 photos

Mike Terry, Deseret News

Wendy Black releases the eagle Friday in a ceremony that included a poem and prayers on a Sanpete County mountain. At left is Martin Tyner, who had nursed the bird back to health.

Gallery (14 photos)