12 Trapped Miners in West Virginia discussion - Page 9

nychief · 10:01 AM

Grief, anger as all but one miner found dead
Initial reports indicated 12 had survived

Wednesday, January 4, 2006; Posted: 10:25 a.m. EST (15:25 GMT)
TALLMANSVILLE, West Virginia (CNN) -- For three hours overnight, families of a dozen trapped West Virginia miners thought their loved ones were coming home as church bells rang to welcome them.

But by 3 a.m. Wednesday -- as one critically ill survivor was rushed to a hospital -- families learned that their thankful jubilation was premature.

There had been a tragic "miscommunication," said mine company chief Ben Hatfield. Twelve of the 13 trapped miners had not made it. They were dead. (Watch angry relatives react -- 3:21)

Anna Casto, who lost her cousin, angrily disagreed with Hatfield's use of the term "miscommunication."

"No, he strictly told us they was alive," Casto said. "Three hours later he come back and said they wasn't."

"We want to know why, and how people can get by with this," she said.

"I just want that immediate family to get some kind of satisfaction, to get some kind of answers." (Full story)

Casto said the tragedy has shaken the faith of some in the community. "We have got some of us ... saying... that we don't even know if there is a Lord anymore," she said. "We had a miracle, and it was taken away from us."
3-hour delay

# 11:53 p.m. -- Church bells ring as reports first indicate that 12 miners have been found alive.

# 2:14 a.m. -- A man is rescued and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition after being trapped underground for nearly 40 hours.

# 2:44 a.m. -- Miners' relatives say they had been told all but one of the miners were dead.

# 3:11 a.m. -- Hatfield, president and CEO of International Coal Group, which owns the Sago Mine, announces that despite previous reports, only one survivor was found in the mine. (Timeline)

Hatfield called it the "worst day of my life."
Critical condition

The sole survivor, Randal McCloy, 27, was in critical condition in intensive care Wednesday at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

"He suffered some collapse of one of his lungs," said Dr. Larry Roberts. "And we're trying to reopen that and there's good progress there."

Roberts said McCloy was sedated and attached to a breathing tube, but was moving and responding to stimuli.

"We hope that we will try to awaken him later today or tomorrow," the doctor said.
'Who do we tell?'

Hatfield said he knew within 20 minutes that an error had been made and that not all 12 were alive, but said he did not inform jubilant family members.

"We couldn't correct the information without knowing more about it," he told reporters. "Let's put this in perspective -- who do we tell not to celebrate? All I knew is, there weren't 12 people that were alive. It was somewhere between 12 and zero."

Hatfield said he understood family members' anger.

"I'm not surprised or upset with them. They certainly have some basis for their frustration, having been put through this emotional roller-coaster. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Hatfield said the miscommunication occurred between rescue crews and the command center, causing the earlier erroneous reports. (Watch the CEO's grim announcement -- 9:00)
Miners were alive after accident

Hatfield said it was apparent that the miners, who were found 13,000 feet into the mine, remained alive for a period of time following the explosion. They had built a "rough barricade structure," he said, and had donned their self-contained breathing apparatuses. The apparatuses held one hour of oxygen; Hatfield said he had no way of knowing how long the miners were alive.

The rescue team that found the miners was speaking to the command center over mine communication system on an open speaker audible to a number of people, Hatfield said. He noted the company made no formal announcement that the 12 were alive, but said he would not single out any rescuers, as they were trying to save the miners' lives.

"The honest answer is, we were devastated," he said. "It's sorrow beyond belief ... Welcome to the worst day of my life."
'Some wrong communications'

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin -- who flashed a thumbs-up on the steps of the church and said, "believe in miracles," after hearing the initial report that the 12 were alive -- called the situation "heart-wrenching." (Watch Gov. Manchin explain what may have caused the miscommunication -- 3:44)

He said he was in another room of the church with some family members when "we heard families in a euphoric state, and all the shouting and screaming and joyfulness." He asked what was happening, he said, and was told, "They found them. They're alive."

Manchin said he asked his communications people if they had confirmed that information, and they said no. But he was caught in the sea of jubilant relatives streaming out of the church, and the church bells began ringing, he said. He said he was "in a euphoric state, the same as they are."

It was about 20 minutes later, he said, when he also became aware of "some wrong communications." The delay in informing relatives, he said, came because officials were trying to get accurate information instead of adding to the confusion. He said he understood the family's pain, as his own uncle died in a 1968 mine accident.

"To put blame on anybody -- it's the wrong time, the wrong place," Manchin said. "Everybody has worked so hard. The rescue teams have worked around the clock. They've come from all over the country."

**KC Dan** · 01-04-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

The media is most certainly culpable for the transmission of false information to their audience. Rather than waiting for the official sources to give them the correct information... rather than confirming their story with more than just one source, they ran with a rumor. It's the same stuff that people are rallying against Athan for with regards to Chiefs news. If people are that mad over Chiefs news not being right, they sure as hell are going to get angry when it's a matter of life and death.

The media was terribly irresponsible.

ABSOLUTELY!

tk13 · 01-04-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

The media is most certainly culpable for the transmission of false information to their audience. Rather than waiting for the official sources to give them the correct information... rather than confirming their story with more than just one source, they ran with a rumor. It's the same stuff that people are rallying against Athan for with regards to Chiefs news. If people are that mad over Chiefs news not being right, they sure as hell are going to get angry when it's a matter of life and death.

The media was terribly irresponsible.

But the governor was the one saying this. That's not a credible source?

Taco John · 01-04-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

But the governor was the one saying this. That's not a credible source?

As far as I know, he got his information from the media...

Taco John · 01-04-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

As far as I know, he got his information from the media...

And let me be clear... The governor shouldn't be able to simply point blame at the media and be done with it. He was terribly irresponsible too. But given the circumstances, it's much easier to forgive him than it is the original "rumor runners." He was desperate for some good news, and when he got it, he latched onto it believing it was credible.

**Donger** · 01-04-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

If that's all your point is, then have at it. I don't see that as even remotely a bad thing.

Which is precisely my point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

But your comparison to the Katrina thing is bogus at best. Your point of outrage before wasn't that we were talking about some side issue while the bodies were still warm (as you put it), it was that you were outraged it was being politicized while the bodies were still warm. That you are trying to distance the conversation from the political angle you tried to take regarding Katrina says about all I need to know, I guess.

Again, it's just the fact that any other thought (political or otherwise) other than sympathy/mourning for the victims enters your minds that I find reprehensible. If you're fine with that, so be it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

Your comparison is bogus and was made flippantly. Now that you realize you are acting as shallow as you accuse me of acting, you are stuck looking like a hypocrite or purveyor of fake outrage. Neither is particularly flattering.

I'm not outraged. Disgusted, perhaps, but not outraged. Nor am I surprised. Nor was my comment flippant; it was and is simply the truth.

**KC Dan** · 01-04-2006, 02:13 PM

Taco John as the voice of reason??? Hell has indeed frozen over!

Taco John · 01-04-2006, 02:13 PM

I do know that Rush Limbaugh was practically giddy all day today. He sounds like he won a prize or something out of this. Ah the state of politics in America.

**Donger** · 01-04-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

I do know that Rush Limbaugh was practically giddy all day today. He sounds like he won a prize or something out of this. Ah the state of politics in America.

He was probably high.

**jAZ** · 01-04-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Again, it's just the fact that any other thought (political or otherwise) other than sympathy/mourning for the victims enters your minds that I find reprehensible. If you're fine with that, so be it.

Yeah, god forbid 41 hours later I allow "any other thought (political or otherwise)" to enter my mind.

How terrible!

tk13 · 01-04-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

As far as I know, he got his information from the media...

No, it was the other way around. The governor was in the church with the people when they started saying 12 are alive and celebrated with the families... and the media caught wind of it....

**jAZ** · 01-04-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

The media is most certainly culpable for the transmission of false information to their audience. Rather than waiting for the official sources to give them the correct information... rather than confirming their story with more than just one source, they ran with a rumor. It's the same stuff that people are rallying against Athan for with regards to Chiefs news. If people are that mad over Chiefs news not being right, they sure as hell are going to get angry when it's a matter of life and death.

The media was terribly irresponsible.

Yep, they (CNN) also seemed to fuel the outraged of the greiving families with misinformation.

The media is responsible for their own behavior. While the source of all of the misinformation is in fact what appears to be an honest mistake, that doesn't mean that the media behaved as they should have.

**Donger** · 01-04-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

Yeah, god forbid 41 hours later I allow "any other thought (political or otherwise)" to enter my mind.

How terrible!

So, someone posted using your account at 3:03am today?

tk13 · 01-04-2006, 02:19 PM

That is why the governor held a press conference at like 4 am last night explaining his actions... not once did he say he got that information from any media outlet, but his own people...

**jAZ** · 01-04-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

But the governor was the one saying this. That's not a credible source?

No, the governor was among the famillies and when the "party" broke out because of the back-channel (cell phone) annoucement was made by family members in the church. He left immediately to go up to confirm what the families had heard and were celebrating. He didn't "say" anything about it.

memyselfI · 01-04-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

The media is most certainly culpable for the transmission of false information to their audience. Rather than waiting for the official sources to give them the correct information... rather than confirming their story with more than just one source, they ran with a rumor. It's the same stuff that people are rallying against Athan for with regards to Chiefs news. If people are that mad over Chiefs news not being right, they sure as hell are going to get angry when it's a matter of life and death.

The media was terribly irresponsible.

You probably need to catch up on your reading.

01-03-2006, 10:59 PM
nychief MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NYC Casino cash: $6869466	Death Toll Reaches 12 in West Virginia Mining Disaster Grief, anger as all but one miner found dead Initial reports indicated 12 had survived Wednesday, January 4, 2006; Posted: 10:25 a.m. EST (15:25 GMT) TALLMANSVILLE, West Virginia (CNN) -- For three hours overnight, families of a dozen trapped West Virginia miners thought their loved ones were coming home as church bells rang to welcome them. But by 3 a.m. Wednesday -- as one critically ill survivor was rushed to a hospital -- families learned that their thankful jubilation was premature. There had been a tragic "miscommunication," said mine company chief Ben Hatfield. Twelve of the 13 trapped miners had not made it. They were dead. (Watch angry relatives react -- 3:21) Anna Casto, who lost her cousin, angrily disagreed with Hatfield's use of the term "miscommunication." "No, he strictly told us they was alive," Casto said. "Three hours later he come back and said they wasn't." "We want to know why, and how people can get by with this," she said. "I just want that immediate family to get some kind of satisfaction, to get some kind of answers." (Full story) Casto said the tragedy has shaken the faith of some in the community. "We have got some of us ... saying... that we don't even know if there is a Lord anymore," she said. "We had a miracle, and it was taken away from us." 3-hour delay # 11:53 p.m. -- Church bells ring as reports first indicate that 12 miners have been found alive. # 2:14 a.m. -- A man is rescued and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition after being trapped underground for nearly 40 hours. # 2:44 a.m. -- Miners' relatives say they had been told all but one of the miners were dead. # 3:11 a.m. -- Hatfield, president and CEO of International Coal Group, which owns the Sago Mine, announces that despite previous reports, only one survivor was found in the mine. (Timeline) Hatfield called it the "worst day of my life." Critical condition The sole survivor, Randal McCloy, 27, was in critical condition in intensive care Wednesday at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. "He suffered some collapse of one of his lungs," said Dr. Larry Roberts. "And we're trying to reopen that and there's good progress there." Roberts said McCloy was sedated and attached to a breathing tube, but was moving and responding to stimuli. "We hope that we will try to awaken him later today or tomorrow," the doctor said. 'Who do we tell?' Hatfield said he knew within 20 minutes that an error had been made and that not all 12 were alive, but said he did not inform jubilant family members. "We couldn't correct the information without knowing more about it," he told reporters. "Let's put this in perspective -- who do we tell not to celebrate? All I knew is, there weren't 12 people that were alive. It was somewhere between 12 and zero." Hatfield said he understood family members' anger. "I'm not surprised or upset with them. They certainly have some basis for their frustration, having been put through this emotional roller-coaster. I wouldn't wish that on anyone." Hatfield said the miscommunication occurred between rescue crews and the command center, causing the earlier erroneous reports. (Watch the CEO's grim announcement -- 9:00) Miners were alive after accident Hatfield said it was apparent that the miners, who were found 13,000 feet into the mine, remained alive for a period of time following the explosion. They had built a "rough barricade structure," he said, and had donned their self-contained breathing apparatuses. The apparatuses held one hour of oxygen; Hatfield said he had no way of knowing how long the miners were alive. The rescue team that found the miners was speaking to the command center over mine communication system on an open speaker audible to a number of people, Hatfield said. He noted the company made no formal announcement that the 12 were alive, but said he would not single out any rescuers, as they were trying to save the miners' lives. "The honest answer is, we were devastated," he said. "It's sorrow beyond belief ... Welcome to the worst day of my life." 'Some wrong communications' West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin -- who flashed a thumbs-up on the steps of the church and said, "believe in miracles," after hearing the initial report that the 12 were alive -- called the situation "heart-wrenching." (Watch Gov. Manchin explain what may have caused the miscommunication -- 3:44) He said he was in another room of the church with some family members when "we heard families in a euphoric state, and all the shouting and screaming and joyfulness." He asked what was happening, he said, and was told, "They found them. They're alive." Manchin said he asked his communications people if they had confirmed that information, and they said no. But he was caught in the sea of jubilant relatives streaming out of the church, and the church bells began ringing, he said. He said he was "in a euphoric state, the same as they are." It was about 20 minutes later, he said, when he also became aware of "some wrong communications." The delay in informing relatives, he said, came because officials were trying to get accurate information instead of adding to the confusion. He said he understood the family's pain, as his own uncle died in a 1968 mine accident. "To put blame on anybody -- it's the wrong time, the wrong place," Manchin said. "Everybody has worked so hard. The rescue teams have worked around the clock. They've come from all over the country." Last edited by nychief; 01-04-2006 at 10:01 AM..
Posts: 7,895

01-04-2006, 02:13 PM	#126
KC Dan Red, White & Blue for the U.S. Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Great Northwest now.. Casino cash: $1184235	Taco John as the voice of reason??? Hell has indeed frozen over! __________________ "And if you don't know where you're going Any road will take you there" - George Harrison
Posts: 6,999

01-04-2006, 02:13 PM	#127
Taco John Sapere Aude Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $3217937	I do know that Rush Limbaugh was practically giddy all day today. He sounds like he won a prize or something out of this. Ah the state of politics in America.
Posts: 78,140

01-04-2006, 02:19 PM	#133
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1562500	That is why the governor held a press conference at like 4 am last night explaining his actions... not once did he say he got that information from any media outlet, but his own people...
Posts: 55,034