Rescued PA Miners Recount Ordeal (***PICTURES***)

AP ^ | July 28, 2002 | Larry Neumeister

[blam]

"Then I remembered these poor men trapped 100+ feet underground."

My grandad said it a different way:

" I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet."

[Mfkmmof4]

It was wonderful news for a change. Thank God for this miracle.

[blam]

"But what really made silicosis and black lung disease bad is that most people who got it also smoked cigarettes."

I read a science study on that, that said just the opposite. The smokers seldom got Black Lung Disease.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

...what was the deal with the governor? Making political hay, or is he an alright guy?

Schweiker was Lt Governor and became Governor when Ridge went to Washington. He has already said he will not run for the office. Seems clear he is a concerned leader.

[justshe]

From those on a thread I was on last night, sounds like the Governor is a good guy. He was the Lt. Gov. when Ridge left to take the job in the Bush administration. He is NOT running for re-election, however.

Also........and I'm probably going to spell this wrong, pneumonaultramicrosopicsilicovolcaniconiosus used to be the longest word in the English language. My understanding is that this is some sort of the 'black lung' disease.

Pneu-mona-ultra-sil-i-co-vol-can-i-con-i-o-sus.
New-moan-a-ultra-sill-i-co-vol-cane-i-cone-i-o-sus

Just a fun word to teach my grandkids to say. (g)

[justshe]

Great job! Thanks!

[Miss Marple]

Fox interviewed the Sipesville Fire Chief this afternoon. He was quite complimentary of Governor Schweiker (who is not running for re-election) and said he NEVER would have imagined a governor wading through the slurry, climbing on drill rigs, hugging drillers and miners. Gave him all sorts of credit.

Laurie Dhue asked the Fire Chief what his biggest worry was. He told her (remember...this is a very small town) that he had no idea how they would get the resources they needed and coordinate things to get the guys out. He said the only way it happened was because of two men...Governor Schweiker and President Bush. Apparently the federal part included the navy decompression chambers, the rescue cage, and waiving environmental regulations so they could pump the water from the mine directly into the nearby creek. Those are the things I know about, I am certain there were other things.

Schweiker never hesitated to talk up the rescue workers and the miners. He was very effective and according to all accounts is the real deal. Shame he is leaving public life.

[justshe]

LOL..........up to late last night! Try this again.

Pneu-mon-a-ultra-microscopic-sil-i-co-vol-can-i-con-i-o-sus
New-moan-a-ultra-microscopic-sill-i-co-vol-cane-i-cone-i-o-sus

[justshe]

What a GREAT thing to hear about the involvement of President Bush. Of course, I would expect NO less. I also am NOT surprised that we had to hear this from someone else, rather that the White House tooting their own horn.

God Bless ALL that helped in this rescue.

[jdontom]

Merci, Alouette. I appreciate your work in posting these human drama photos.

This is really FReepen Fun for a change, the very reason this web site appealed to me! You FReepers are great, just like our family, after reading all the great posts last night had a hard time :^).

[Alouette]

I appreciate your work in posting these human drama photos.

You're welcome.

Usually I post picture of the results of all the terror attacks in the Holy Land. It's a real pleasure to post something with a happy ending!

[Carolinamom]

I read on another thread that the drill equipment was made by HALLIBURTON!!

[TomB]

With all due respect to these fellows, mayne they should have spent some time in the decompression chamber.

Considering the Navy sent physicians who specialize in treatment of decompression sickness, I don't think they would have foregone the treatment unless they felt it was appropriate.

[agrace]

GREAT pictoral, Alouette, and it's so wonderful to see such joyful pics for a change, must feel good for you to do so too. The article has great details too, thanks for posting both. They brought the tears yet again. And although I don't comment too often these days (too busy chasing my kids), I so much appreciate being on your flag list!!!

[Exit148]

Thanks Alouette!

I hope we can see the faces of all these men and fit their names to them. When I saw them in that little capsule -- in great stress, yet some gave a little wave of a thumb's up ---- well, I nearly lost it.

Every once in a while I switched to CNN or MSNBC to see if their report was better than Fox, (Rivera was driving me crazy with his dramatics) but I always switched back. Rick Leventhal gave some balance.

Hearing the story of the delay, because of the broken bit, is really something. I remember thinking of what the lost time would do to those poor men. In the end, it saved them!! Miraculous!

And I can't say enough about Governor Schweiker. I hope there is some sort of appointment for him down the line. Good men like him are needed!

[The Coopster]

You're right. It is a black lung-type disease, but you get it from inhaling volcanic ash.

[facedown]

Thanks!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Praise be to GOD ALMIGHTY

[skr]

The broken bit certainly wasn't good news. I was wondering why they didn't have a spare for such occasions and then I heard that they had to send to W. VA. for the first one to begin the rescue!

[harpo11]

Nine Alive bump! God Bless the miners and their families and friends and the men and women who worked around the clock to bring them up.