A miracle. These are incredible people that can do that work, a mile underground.

http://dmf.opwest.org/TriduumToStMartin.htm

This patron saint always comes through.

Thank God.

My thoughts still go out to the family of the man who lost his life. I hope they can find some solace in the fact that the other families were spared their grief.

The Miner's families were praying and counselled at a Baptist Church. Millions of prayers from around the world went out to God for these men and their families. God was listening!

PRAISE GOD!!

Let's continue praying for the family of the Miner who died, Terry Helms.

It really is a miracle. I'm sure the left will explain in great detail the logistics of how they stayed alive, underground, with carbon monoxide at levels you can't survive longer than 15 minutes and their airpacks with an hour's worth of oxygen, for 40 hours by "finding" a spot quickly enough and being able to blockade themselves.

But I'll still call it a miracle.

Well Candace, they did have plenty of training for dealing with such a situation, some equipment which helped a lot, and they kept their wits about them. But the prayers sure didn't hurt.

Of course they've had training, Ed, but it's the keeping the wits part that is important; however, keeping some faith after 39.5 hours in the dark is probably equally important.

Breaking news on CNN: Only ONE miner survived and is critical in hospital. UNBELIEVABLE how whoever was responsible for the communications could blow this SO badly. The families are totally devastated.

Just in from Drudge:

Family members report that 11 of the 12 coal miners who were initially thought to have survived an explosion in a coal mine have died. The sole survivor is hospitalized. DEVELOPING...

Shocking

My God, those poor families. And what a major cluster f*ck; although having no idea of the conditions, that might be premature, but to say "12" and be wrong... I saw on cnn that the one was unconscious (unconfirmed) and wondered if they all were.

What a heartbreak.

http://www.theinfozone.net is stating more on the story.

----

Seems a terrible mistake was made. Mining communities are small tight knit places. The whole town will feel this, it is very sad.

I had been watching the news when they said that the miners were found alive, probably just after 9:00 in BC. Then one ambulance went by then nothing. It was over two hours later and I just new something wasn't right. If they had been alive, there would have been more ambulances soon than 2+ hours. Thats what happens when people jump the gun and release information out. But I do not understand how the hell the mining company could alow the families to celebrate for over two hours when in fact the company new 20 minutes later! That it is so cruel. My thoughts are with the miners families. These are men cut from very special cloth. God speed.

Yes, it has been confirmed, 3 hours after the inital transmission, 11 of the 12 miners are dead.

Why it took three hours to come clean with the proper information is my guess - laywers.

Why someone didn't confirm the inital report that they were alive, meaning "Breaker, repeat please, miners found alive, Breaker", or something like that, rather than say "ooops" 20 minutes later.

But again my guess, lawyers for the mining company told the boss man to hush. Typical lawyer move, don't say a thing. If in fact I believe is the WORSE thing to do, remain silent.

cheers
tom

Talk about jumping the gun... in the comments section that is. Story I heard this morning and reported by the press is that someone overheard that they found the twelve and were checking for vital signs. In a hurry to pass on good news, sh*t happened. The mining company CEO confirmed this. That might be the reason companies usually decline to comment before an official announcement is made.

My heart goes out to the families affected.

Almost off topic: In writing my comment above I just realized that the blogging world has taught me a few habits like checking a couple of sources before putting something to print (as it were). Scary, eh. Maybe the MSM could take a hint...

"Maybe the MSM could take a hint..."

The MSM do. That's one of the things that distinguishes them from Drudge.

That, plus they usually acknowledge their mistakes.

Seems that God wasn't listening after all, more like a soft chuckle...

But all is not lost yet, at least the grieving families will have the good sense to cash in on their dead relatives and sue sue sue...

The MSM acknowledge their mistakes?In small print on page 12.If they did and checked their sources it would'nt be on blogs.

Talking about lawyers, MSM and suing at a time like this is plain disgusting. I don't know how you people sleep at night. The families of the deceased are devastated. The rescuers should be immensely thanked for their efforts. They too must feel deep pain and regret.

My deepest sympathy, goes out to the families, of those miners killed in this terrible accident. There will be plenty of time after they're familes have dealt with funerals and all, to see what caused this accident and the mistakes that where made, by both management and the media, but for right now, they need the support of they're friends and comunitity.

God Bless them all.

Ron , This isn't ammo for your holier than though schtick.

A media-made miracle?

In this case the media simply reported information that the mining/rescue officials had relayed to the family members who were waiting.

One is better than none anyway.

tim blair has a good run-down of this mess.

That's sad, so sad.

People,if there are prayers that should be delivered,don't sit back and dwell on the deaths,use your votives for the one who remains. I am not religeous per se,but i hope he pulls through...

Ron, the bodies are still down the hole and one of the families has already stated that they are suing. I think that kind of trailer trash was more likely praying for a big settlement than for the soul of their relative. That's what happens when you put God's name on your currency.

That's uncalled for Maple Stump. The trailer trash (your words)that had a family member in the mine was more than likely mad as hell about the screw-up and the impact that had on them. Probably a little resentment directed towards the company too, given what seems to be a less than stellar safety record. Calling someone who's just been through a personal ordeal like this "trailer trash" is presumptuous and suggests a total lack of empathy. I hope you never see a day like those poor bastards. Think before you open your mouth.

According to Ellen Smith, editor of Mine Safety and Health News, the Sago coal mine, where the accident occurred, had an accident rate in 2004 that was three times higher than the national average. That record has since worsened: Last year, the mine's operators received 205 orders and citations for health and safety violations, 96 of which carried a "significant and substantial" risk of death or injury. In 2005 the mine was forced to halt operations 16 times after failing to comply with safety rules. Eight of those citations, which were among the most serious a mine can receive, occurred in the final quarter of the year.

A Mining Disaster

I think that kind of trailer trash was more likely praying for a big settlement than for the soul of their relative.

Maple do you post that kind of shit for shock value or are you really devoid of any sense of decency?
Not to mention considering these miners made 50- 90 grand US per year hardly makes them worthy of your "trailer trash" insult.
God forbid you ever experience what the people of this small mining community is experiencing, then again I'm sure you'd be singing to different tune.

Get a heart!

Rottigirl, you're joking, right? I need a heart? Not 8 hours after the announcement of the death of the miners, a family had their legal recourse all planned out? If you've ever lost a parent, you'll know that the first 8 hours after the death aren't devoted to legal recourses and lawyers, unless you are heartless, greedy bastard.

Maple yes infact I did lose my mother last October 25th, due to questionable circumstances which I will not go into here.
Secondly, try for a moment if you will to put yourself in their shoes.
They were horribly misinformed regarding to their loved ones state.
They are rejoicing in the fact that they believe as they were told that their loved ones were still alive.
Mining officials knew that the families were rejoicing, and even after knowing the truth for themselves left the families to rejoice for another 2 to 3 hours.
When the truth was finally put forth to them, can you even begin to imagine the horror they must've felt. The anger that would consume them for having been left to rejoice when infact they should've been mourning, and I'm sure many of them felt enormous guilt for that as well.
Grief, anger, disbelief, guilt, people will react in ways that others may find "disturbing" especially if they are feeling all those things at once.
Given the circumstances of the situation, if I was one of those people I think I would be seeking legal recourse as well.
It has nothing to do with greed, it has all to do with heartwrenching emotion.
I will however apologize to you for saying "Get a heart", that wasn't very nice of me at all.
But calling people going thru such a desperate time trailer trash, was heartless in my opinion.