For those not familiar with this ongoing news story, here's the latest from the AP:

Rescue Shafts Nearing Miners' Chamber


By Judy Lin
Associated Press Writer
Saturday, July 27, 2002; 2:22 PM


SOMERSET, Pa. – With heavy equipment and heartfelt prayers, rescue workers drew tantalizingly close Saturday to a dark and cramped chamber where they hoped to find nine trapped coal miners alive, and return them to their loved ones.

One of two rescue shafts being drilled reached a depth of 214 feet – less than 30 feet from the miners – by 1 p.m., Gov. Mark Schweiker said. Emergency officials were to decide how best to enter the 4-foot chamber in the Quecreek Mine where the men have been trapped since Wednesday.

"We've made significant progress," said Schweiker, who predicted rescuers could begin making attempts to pull miners out Saturday evening.

Even though there had been no contact with the miners since Thursday, when tapping was heard on an air hole, workers were optimistic that they were alive. The miners' families, encamped nearby, could only hope they were right.

"The best-case scenario is that when we pull the drill bit out we hear hollering," said David Hess, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Schweiker said if the drilling went well, one or both of the rescue shafts would reach the miners' chamber by Saturday afternoon. At that point, rescuers would decide how best to puncture a protective air pocket where they believed the miners were huddled, and send a basket to retrieve the miners one or two at a time.

"It's fair to say the deep mine rescuers will be ready," Schweiker said. "We will not miss a beat."

But once the rescue shaft was completed, it was expected to take time – perhaps hours more – for workers to ready machinery to lower people who would bring up the miners.

Helicopters were readied to whisk miners from the scene 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh to hospitals, and medical personnel were set to immediately treat injuries or hypothermia.

Nine decompression chambers also were placed at the scene. Medical personnel said the air pressure on the miners could be as much as is experienced at 40 feet underwater, and the men could suffer the bends – bubbles in the bloodstream caused by rapid changes in pressure – once they were rescued. An airlock was on site to keep the rescue shaft pressurized if needed.

Air was being pumped into the chamber at a temperature of more than 100 degrees in the hope that it would warm the men.

Schweiker also reported further progress in efforts to reduce the water level inside the mine, though it had not yet dropped the 30 feet needed to give the trapped men more room and ensure the pressure wouldn't cause water to rise when the drills finally punched through.

"The rate of what we're taking out has slowed a little bit," said Schweiker. He said a couple more feet of water needed to be drained in the mine.

Schweiker said Saturday morning families of the trapped miners were encouraged – particularly after a frustrating day of drilling Friday – when he showed them a handful of limestone from a depth of 150 feet.

"That served to buoy their spirits," the governor said.

Dozens of family members kept a vigil at a fire hall in nearby Sipesville, and had made several trips to the rescue site. The governor said officials were meeting with them every hour to bring them up to date.

There was no clear indication the miners, ages 30 to 55, were still alive. Rescuers twice tried to listen Friday, but noise from rescue equipment made it too difficult to hear tapping sounds or other noises.

The accident occurred about 9 p.m. Wednesday when the miners broke the wall of an abandoned mine that maps showed to be some 300 feet farther away. As much as 60 million gallons of water rushed into the shaft where they were working.

The miners were able to warn a second crew, which escaped.

The rescue attempt has transfixed the region, a hilly, rural area long dependent on coal and one that suffered tragedy during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The 40 passengers and crew on Flight 93 died when it was taken over by hijackers and crashed near Shanksville, about 10 miles from the mine. Schweiker said family members of Flight 93 victims sent an e-mail message to the families of the miners.

"This eight-county area is famous for its mines and its miners, and everyone knows someone in the mines, so it's really hit close," said Alex Zinovenko, 45. "You figure something like this could happen. Can you be prepared? I don't think so. We're knocked around a bit by this."


© 2002 The Associated Press