Same with me, Bee. My grandfather died in a roof collapse in a deep mine in West Virginia when Mom was 9 years old.

Thanks for answering my question, Rapaire. Deep mining is such dangerous work, even under the best of circumstances. I've been following this story closely, and I am sure I am not the only person thinking this accident might not have happened in a Union mine. A union miner could have expressed safety concerns or protested unsafe conditions without fear of losing his job. If enough mines in the region were organized, the UMW would have the clout to force some significant safety measures and mining practices on the industry.