Tragedy: Loved Ones Lost for Families; Money Lost for Business PART IIIJan 05 '06 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line In tribute and loving memory of the 12 lost and in honor of the one sole survivor... God bless all the families and friends.
This is a sickening look into the world of secretive business, carelessly risking the lives of the common employee in the name of the almighty dollar. The mine had been inoperative for two years before resuming operations. Numerous violations were cited and fines handed down. Despite “improvements,” mine officials had to have known that the workers were still at risk, otherwise there would not have remained another 20% to be improved. Obviously the cost of making repairs was worth more than the lives of the miners. International Coal Group has designated Dix & Eaton as media representatives and their direct media contact is Gary Wells at 1(606)920-7493 The official statement of International Coal Group, released January 4, 2006 by Chairman Wilbur L. Ross is as follows: “A terrible tragedy has occurred and everyone at International Coal Group shares the grief of the families of the twelve miners who lost their lives despite the best efforts of our company, Governor Joe Manchin, and the rescue teams. My heart goes out to these families. I personally understand their trauma since I lost my own father when I was a teenager and my widowed mother was left with three children, the youngest of whom was eight years old. I offer these families my heartfelt sympathy and my prayers. No amount of money can take the place of a loved one, but the families do have financial needs as well. Therefore, International Coal Group has organized The Sago Mine Fund to provide financial support to the families and will provide the Fund with an initial contribution of $2,000,000. People who wish to contribute to the Fund may do so by calling 1-800-811-0441.” CEO Hatfield added, “This has been the most tragic period of my life. Our goal is always to see that our people get home safely each day and we will redouble our efforts t make sure a tragedy like this never occurs again. Our management is working diligently with the government investigators to learn the cause of the explosion and we will report all findings in the hope that lessons learned here may prevent similar problems at other mines. No amount of explanation can replace a loved one, nor can the Sago Mine Fund, but our fervent hope is that this will help. I reiterate the deep sympathy I have already expressed to the families. We regard our miners as part of our extended family and hope that many people will express their sorry by contributing to the Fund.” As a West Virginian, a daughter, granddaughter, niece, great-niece, and friend of coal miners in the State of West Virginia, I am still awe-struck and in total shock and disbelief at the happenings of the past few days. It seems that one mistake after another occurred and the victims and families are left to carry the grief and burden as the officials of ICG cry over the dollars they are losing and will certainly lose in lawsuits about to appear before them. Hatfield was quick with his own pity party about it being the most tragic period of his life. Perhaps he should put his own feelings aside and think of those who truly matter. Again, there was no apology by either member of ICG in their statements. No amount of money, no apology, no answers to the unanswered questions will bring back the 11 men who “went to sleep” and the one man who suffered the brunt of the explosion. Likewise, none of these will ease the pain and suffering of the lone-survivor or his family. It would, however, be the right to the many wrongs to apologize and issue a full explanation of the happenings rather than to continue the mindless excuses and finger-pointing. It would also be appropriate to open the checkbooks and wallets rather than find defenses and excuses to the inexcusable incident. I strongly doubt any of this will occur. This narrative and all my best wishes and prayers is issued in the names and memories of the 12 perished and their families as well as our one surviving miracle man and his family with hopes for the best resolution and brightest tomorrow possible as they recover from the dark abyss they have been thrown into since January 2, 2006. Randal McCloy: The survivor, a 27 year old husband to Anna and father to Randal Jr and Isabel. He is a licensed electrician said to have taken the mining because the money was too good to pass up and he wanted to provide a good life for his family. He truly went against his better judgment, as he did not want to be a miner. Alva Martin Bennett: Continuous Miner Operator A 50-year-old son of a coal miner and father of a coal miner. Mining was the only job Bennett ever knew. His own brother-in-law was one of the miners who escaped after the explosion. Jim Bennett: Shuttle Car Operator A 61-year-old miner who refused to leave the profession. He was a very religious man, often praying for all those entering the mines. Bennett was a miner of several decades. He had planned to retire this year. Jerry Groves: Roof Bolter Operator A miner of 30 years, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and another brother. Groves was 57 and married with two adult children. He had also hoped to retire soon. Terry Helms: Fire Boss/Mine Examiner A coal miner of 35 years that refused to let his own 25-year-old son become a miner. He refused to discuss his job with his family because he “never wanted them to worry.” The 50-year-old had worked at the Sago mine for only six months. He was a fire boss and the first one to enter the mine on Monday for inspections. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer who never expressed any fears of working in the mines. Helms was set to marry fiancé Virginia Moore in the near future. David Lewis: Roof Bolter Operator A 28-year-old who started to work in the mines 2 ½ years ago so he could be home at night with his three daughters while wife, Samantha, worked on her master’s degree. He had previously worked in construction and the timber industry but those professions kept him away when he was needed at home. Martin Toler, Jr: Section Foreman A mine foreman who had worked in mines most of his life. He was 50 years old and previously worked in another mine with his 29-year-old son, Chris for about 4 years. Chris stated on the evening of the incident that when his father came out of the mine, “I’m going to tell him to retire.” Fred Ware, Jr: Continuous Miner Operator A six year veteran of the mines, the 59-year-old was set to marry his fiancée, Loretta Ables, on Valentine’s Day 2006. He always told his fiancée that he “was going to die in the mines.” Ware had previously broken his ankle in the mines from a rock-fall. Ironically, Ware had worked through the holidays and had considered taking Monday off from work. Jack Weaver: Section Electrician A 52-year-old miner. Survived by wife Charlotte and an 11-year-old son. The Remaining Miners: Thomas P. Anderson, 39: Shuttle Car Operator George Hamner, Jr, 54: Shuttle Car Operator Jesse L. Jones, 44: Roof Bolter Operator Marshall Winans, 50: Scoop Operator Information obtained for this epinion gathered from CNN and CNN.Com, The Associated Press, The Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail, WVU Hospitals, WOWK 13 News, 1440am WAJR-Morgantown, and International Coal Group. (c) ~Becky Carte, 2006~ Find the beginning of the story: Part I" And the continuing story: Part II"  |
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