Posted on 07/28/2002 6:40:05 AM PDT by Isara
SOMERSET, Pa. –– Rescue workers on Sunday pulled all nine miners one by one from the watery, 240-foot-deep shaft where they had been trapped for three days, a jubilant reward for an effort fraught with one gut-wrenching setback after another.
After three grim days of frantic drilling delayed by broken bits and busted seals, defiant crews – with no signs of life to encourage them since Thursday – bored a giant auger through the ceiling of 4-foot high chamber at 10:16 p.m. Saturday. The breakthrough allowed workers to drop a telephone line to the miners through a small air pipe.
Moments later, rescuers were seen hugging and giving the thumbs-up.
Then the word came from an unidentified, mud-caked rescue worker who shouted up from the pit near where they dropped the communication device: "They're all down there. They're waiting to come up. There's nine of them. We talked to them on the telephone."
The first words from the miners were blunt. "What took you so long?" one of the miners asked, according to a rescuer.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
There wasn't a press conference or interview given where the governor didn't praise the rescue workers to high heaven.
And considering he isn't running for another term, his supposed "grandstanding" won't really accomplish anything.
Oh to be a fly on the wall when Daschle hears this little bit of news!
DOH!
Now, anytime the name "Haliburton" is mentioned, all people are going to think about is that drill rig getting those men out.
The Gov is getting accolades because he did what he was supposed to do, and was the most visible.
In fact I think he showed a lot of class when he insisted on keeping a lid on developments until after the families of the trapped miners got word first. Of course in some cases video from the scene taht was privy only to the families insured they were first in line. But if you watched last night, The Gov wouldn't divuldge information until he was POSITIVE the families were the first to know.
Pretty classy for a politico.
I didn't see any angels moving rock or the governor ever break into a sweat.
You must have been watching a different channel! LOL!
These people got out because of muscle and brains, nothing else.
Of course there was LOTS more involved. The Gov certainly did what he could to get emergency equipment on the scene. He did what he was supposed to do, ie expidite things the governemtn was responsible for. That would include the waving of permits for moving equipment and such.
The bottom line. No one is taking anything away from the miners who worked tirelessly to rescue their brethren. But from the word go this was team work, and unusual co-operation between government, private industry, and workers. They ALL done good!
And it was refreshing to have a politico who IS NOT running for office, get so involved. If you listened he didn't give prepared speeeches. In fact most times you could tell he was tired and speaking from his heart.
For FReepers to acknowledge that isn't taking away from the men who worked with hand and heart and brain for a successful outcome. Rather it was an unusual coming together for a common goal. How refreshing!
BTW going back a bit....
I didn't see any angels moving rock
What channel were YOU watching...the SciFi channel?
I watched nearly the entire thing (For one thing I had to because I work in news and radio and was on duty at the time passing reports along to our listeners). Anyway I watched nearly te entire thing from start to finish and I saw LOTS of angels. I guess it's all in the eye of te beholder.
prisoner6
The NYSlimes had him on the front page today, no doubt because they felt it safe to give a Republican credit since he's not running for anything!
prisoner6
Of course, I owe all the glory to G-d.
As far as political animals go, there's not many worse than a Pennsylvania democRAT!
prisoner6
...But, then again there's plenty of leg time following up with the hero worship, maybe a Lifetime movie...
...Finally,,, some good news...
He certainly showed just a very big heart for the families of the trapped men.
In his modest way, GW will not take credit like the Creep would had he been president during this situation.
Leni
I forgot all about that. And it can't be over emphasized.
THey were taking the water from the mine and discharging it directly into Quecreek, which runs only a couple miles until it empties into the Quemahoning Reservoir.
They acknowledged the problem, but then said that there was nothing else that could be done, and that men's lives were at stake. I guess a few dead fish, and the whining of enviros don't frighten these guys. Good for them.
Does anybody know why the Gov isn't running for reelection?
My post from last night, all of the safety equiptment is made by Haliburton. They will get no credit for this, they have saved many a miner, drillers life. These devices that were used in this operation are usually stored in warehouses, as was the BOP and Diamond tip drill that was used until needed. Also Haliburton makes the device (fish) that is used to extract the pipe and drill bit that was broke off on the first rig.
Where are you getting this stuff??? He's not even running, as far as I know - and he didn't run for the position he's in now, being a replacement for Tom Ridge.
Geez...
Loved your entire post-and want to add my thanks to the ingenuity and folks at Haliburton that are responsible for manufacturing such a marvelous device. It has saved nine very precious lives last night and probably many more before that.
I didn't know about this. Thanks!!!
I didn't know about this. Thanks!!!
I read several newspapers this morning and have not seen Haliburton mentioned. I wonder if their role will ever be widely known?
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