Tragedy: Loved Ones Lost for Families; Money Lost for Business PART II
Jan 05 '06
The Bottom Line Questions remain unanswered and it is doubtful that the truth of the matter will ever be released.
Ben Hatfield of ICG begins to give information that the mistaken announcement was due to a “miscommunication” but would not comment further. He stated that no further statements would be given until after all 12 miners were recovered from the mine. Lone-survivor Randal McCloy is suffering a collapsed lung and severe dehydration. He is receiving sedation and is in critical condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital. It is decided to move him to a level 1 trauma center in Morgantown, West Virginia for further evaluation and treatment. His transfer to Ruby Memorial Hospital, part of the West Virginia University Hospitals begins soon after.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Larry Roberts gave a statement at a press conference from Ruby Memorial Hospital stating that McCloy’s lung had been re-inflated and that chemo dialysis had been initiated on a kidney suffering the trauma of dehydration. McCloy had been brought into the facility in an unconscious state, but had regained consciousness and was on a ventilator, unable to speak. He did, however, show signs of recognizing his wife in the form of facial expressions and by squeezing her hand. West Virginia First-Lady Gayle Manchin was present at the hospital and the press conference with McCloy’s wife, Anna. A CT-Scan showed no evidence of head injury from the accident, but neurological activity remains a concern. Dr. John Prescott, the dean of West Virginia University’s medical school reported McCloy as being “stable with some signs of improvement, but by no means out of the woods.” He described small improvements in heart, liver, kidney, and lung functions but no change in neurological functions. He remains in a very critical state.
Later in the afternoon, International Coal Group issued an official statement of regret to the families of the victims. Nick Helms, son of one of the perished miners stated that no apology had ever been given to the families. In lieu of an apology, ICG officials passed along the message that “We deeply regret that we allowed the jubiliation to go on longer than it should have.” Senior Vice President Gene Kitt stated that rescuers were wearing full face masks with a radio system to communicate to the “fresh air base.” They relayed the message of finding the miners to the “fresh air base”, who then phoned the surface that the eleven men were dead. The communication center allegedly asked them to clarify their message multiple times. Upon receiving the information, Kitt says all in the office were advised NOT to release any information.
In addition, Kitt says the rescue crews were using code. They used the code to announce an “item” was found when the first miner’s body was located near the epicenter of the explosion. Later, the crew radioed that 㥸 items were found” and that was mis-communicated as 12 men being found. It would be easy to see that if the word “item” was used for one miner, that when 㥸 items” were reported, it would be construed as 12 miners, wouldn’t it?
The bodies of the miners were recovered from the mine and taken to the Medical Examiner’s office for complete autopsies. Peggy Cohen, daughter of one of the miners has informed the public that the Medical Examiner’s office notified her and other family members that notes were left behind for the families. The notes supposedly state that the miners were not suffering and that they simply were “going to sleep.” Cohen is as angry as Nick Helms that the company has not apologized or had any communication with them since the press release. She believes the company owes an explanation to the families.
The Sago mine has a clear history of troubles. In 2004, the mine reported an injury rate that was three times that of mines of comparable size nationwide. Last year alone, the mine operation was fined more than $24,000 for over 200 violations according to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. During the past six months, the Sago mine reported a dozen accidental roof falls, also taken from MSHA records. Three of these roof falls occurred after ICG finalized its purchase of the operation, although CEO Hatfield has made claims that the mine had been operating safely since the acquisition. During the last three complete examinations of the mine, MSHA inspectors have cited the company for more than 180 violations. A total of 46 violations were stated between October to December 2005, with 18 of those being “serious and substantial,” and believed to likely cause an accident that would seriously injure a miner. I find this more than ironic in light of the incident at hand.
Included in the alleged violations are:
*Approved roof control and mine ventilation plans.
*Emergency escape way violations.
*Required pre-shift safety examinations.
Senior Vice President Kitt has stated that mine conditions have improved by at least 80 percent in the last quarter of 2005. Apparently it was the other 20% that reared its ugly head and caused such a widespread tragedy and senseless heartache of 13 immediate families and millions of extended families worldwide.
Governor Manchin has promised a complete investigation and President George W. Bush has also expressed his desire for follow-up in the matter. No amount of investigating can or will ease the pain suffered by the families and exposed infractions may only fuel the raging fires burning deep inside them. Statements have already been released concerning upcoming lawsuits based upon the incident and the history of the Sago mine.
This entire incident has left yet another blemish on the State of West Virginia, often recognized as a land of barefoot, toothless, uneducated “hillbillies.” How could such erroneous information be ‘leaked’ out and who would even consider spreading information unconfirmed? As the finger-pointing parade ensues, families, friends, West Virginians and people world wide are left with a bad taste in their mouth and many questions and thoughts to ponder….
• Kitt stated the information was asked to be confirmed several times. Then all were told NOT to release the information. Both ICG and Governor Manchin promised that the families would not be kept in limbo. Would withholding the information constitute not informing families as promised?
• Why would Hatfield send such heart-wrenching information through State Police and clergy rather than standing up and being a responsible man and issuing the information to the families first-hand, as promised?
• If this mine was cited with such serious and substantial violations to the health and safety of miners, why were miners continuing to work inside it?
• If mine officials will not even issue an apology to the families, what will become of them in their future?
Read the beginning: PART I
Read the conclusion: PART III
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RCarte2000
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Member: Becky Carte
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29 years old, separated, mom of a 4 year old daughter and 2 stepchildren.
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