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 ...
As long as it doesn't star Alec Baldwin with his pompadour 'do, I might watch it.
There was a true story about a similar incident that occured years ago - the miners had been trapped, and the silence was so total that the ticking from their wristwatches was driving them mad. They threw them all in the water to escape the noise.
I have been spelunking (caving for you virgins) several times in Kentucky in one of the largest pristine caves in the country. Because almost all of the entrances are on private property, it is completely undeveloped. There are passages where you literally have to take off your helmet and fannypack, and turn your head sideways so you can worm through. I probably would have to lose about 40 pounds if I wanted to do it again.
I was thinking, if something ever collapsed, how the hell would I ever get out? I can't imagine the mental strain these miners were under. They should get combat pay and an immediate retirement package.
Maybe not. Rendell is anti gun, and the NRA is targetting him. There are lots of NRA members in PA (ahtough we have a hard time countring the Philly and Pittsburgh vote fraud).
I'd prefer the guy who played "George" opposite Malcovich in "Of Mice and Men". He also starred in "The Stand", but I can't remember his name. I think he also played the bad guy in Gibson's "Ransom". He seems like a good actor and a regular guy. I hope I don't find out he is a screaming lefty.
< /sarcasm>
That's right, he was also in Apollo 13. I hope he is not a lib!
Gary Senise. Excellent actor. He also starred in a movie about Truman and he was a co-star in "Forest Gump."
I had been real busy this week traveling and hadn't watched the news as closely as usual. On Friday someone asked me if I thought they were still alive. Not really knowing the situation, I replied of course, there's always a chance. I am so glad I was right.
My husband absolutely hates politicans. Just assumes that they are crooked. But he met Scweiker recently and was impressed. Felt he was an honest, caring man. Never heard him describe ANY politician like that. I discovered this morning he's from our area and at church met someone who knows him well. Says he's the "real thing." What you see is what you get. He didn't run because of some type of liability that the party did not want to deal with. Some type of past association, I think. My husband mentioned he did not even know who was running for governor from the Rep. party, but he sure knew Schweiker. Too bad he's not running.
His job?
Who are you to say the way that should be done?
You don't lead from behind.
But then again, if he'd have stayed in Harrisburg, you'd be complaining that he didn't show any leadership.
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