Question:
I was sickened when I heard the reports. The jubilation turned to
agonized grief. The false reports... joy turned to rage. Whether
intentional or not, I thought it was cruel to give false hope.... and
now the healing must begin for all those family members who lost their
loved ones deep in the abyss of Earth.... and what of the lone
survivor? What of the horrors that he lived through? My thoughts are
with them. May they find peace and forgiveness and hold dear the love
and memories of their love ones who died in that terrible accident and
may the survivor heal and find the peace that he needs to move forward
to perhaps bring forth peace to others.
Answer:
I too am saddened by the tragedy of those coal miners after it was
initially reported they were ok.
To tell you the truth, I knew they were dead as soon as I heard about
carbon monoxide being found in the mine atmosphere. I'm surprized even
one person survived.
Owing to replacement of coal by other energy sources, better mine
safety and a large percentage of coal obtained through open pit (rather
than underground) mines, coal mine disasters aren't as common as they
used to be. Early in the 20th century we had disasters where as many as
300 miners were killed. But we could do better. Hopefully we'll see
mine safety reforms after this recent disaster.
One wishes that Big John (does anybody here remember that song sung by
Jimmy Dean back in 1961?) could have actually been there to save those
miner's lives.
I was born in Uniontown Pennsylvania (in 1936), which is coal mining
country. I had many relatives who worked the mines. My uncle Joe
retired from Wierton Coal after over 20 years amd moved east to
Fairless Hills, Pa. I remember other disasters. And when they
happen, it is rare that they miners are saved. As time went on, it
seemed to get safer--maybe just less mining activity.
I never wanted ot work in a mine. I am not claustrophobic, but I
would not like being in a mine.
