Keep our West Virginia coal miners in your prayers

[SplshMtn99]

So sad.

I was watching 12:30am to 1:15am. So happy for them.

Now, I awake to find it was all wrong. Shocked. Stunned. So sad. Those poor families. Just aweful.

So many things gone wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mickeyfan2]

The result is so sad. I wish they had all survived.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Same thing here--i stayed up till 2:30 am watching CNN and went to bed--this morning i woke up and told my mom they were okay and she just told me to turn my tv on the news-- i couldnt believe it

 

[binny]

So sad.

I was watching 12:30am to 1:15am. So happy for them.

Now, I awake to find it was all wrong. Shocked. Stunned. So sad. Those poor families. Just aweful.

So many things gone wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me too. I am beyond words. I am so sorry for all of your losses. May God Be with all of the mining families today.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I am so sorry. Turned on the news this morning and found that only one survived. That's a miracle but I know we'd all hoped for 13 miracles. So sad, I'm so sorry for the families, friends, and community.

This is so tragic.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A very sad ending.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I am so sorry. Turned on the news this morning and found that only one survived. That's a miracle but I know we'd all hoped for 13 miracles. So sad, I'm so sorry for the families, friends, and community.

This is so tragic.

What makes this even sadder for me is that one did survive. It all died instantly that is one thing, but they all survive for a while. And if one could survive then you start to ask why not the others?

 

[TottenKing]

What makes this even sadder for me is that one did survive. It all died instantly that is one thing, but they all survive for a while. And if one could survive then you start to ask why not the others?

It is obvious that there had to have been some suffering...and that only adds to the tragedy. The man who survived is in a medically-induced unconscious state right now so he can't say yet what happened. It seems like he may pull through, though, and be able to tell what happened. When he was at the local hospital, his blood did not show signs of CO poisoning. Since the men had left their initial site and made a barricade somewhere else, they obviously lived for at least some period of time. And, if one survived 40-some hours, it makes you wonder about the other 11 that made it to the barricade (how long they lived and how they died).

It's so sad that it happened this way. I truly believe that, despite the way things happened, no one would have ever mislead these families on purpose. I don't think I've ever met someone who would be or could be that monstrous. The company's president said it was an overheard cell phone conversation that was misunderstood and then passed along.

Although waiting until they later knew exactly who had not survived (to tell the families) may have been a mistake, it's hard to say what is the perfect thing to do under such stress. He said there was some suspicion that the initial "good" news was not true about 30 minutes later. I hope I never have to make such a judgment call.

Like our governor said, "We were praying for 13 miracles and got one." That is something to be thankful for among all the sadness.

A Prayer For West Virginia
Shine, O Lord, upon the homely mosaic of West Virginia's land: Upon her steep-hewn hills and angled draws, her maple-strewn valleys and ridges clad in mountain rhododendron.
Shine, Lord, upon her citizens, armed only with freedom, scrappers all for such measure of dignity as fearlessness and faith may win.
Shine, O God, into those deep recesses where Thou has hidden abundant riches, that those who dig in the earth, and those who watch for their return, may know the radiance of Thy light and the safety of Thy love.
Bright be the cleansing fire of Thy truth in the hearts of the people, and in the public weal of their common life; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
http://www.washingtonmemorialchapel.org/pages/prayers.html

 

[poohandwendy]

It's so sad that it happened this way. I truly believe that, despite the way things happened, no one would have ever mislead these families on purpose.

I agree. I think the anger is misplaced right now. One reason people were so elated to be told they were 'alive' was because it was so unlikely at that point. Unfortunately, the information was wrong. That information isn't what caused the reason for grief...the fact that they didn't make it did.

I can understand why the families are upset that they had false hope, but it was a mistake and I do not believe anyone purposely mislead them. If anything, many people risked their lives for hours and hours to try to save their loved ones. I mean, seriously risked their lives, knowing that the chances were very slim that anyone was alive. I think it is important to remember that.

This is a heartbreaking story. My heart and prayers go out to all who lost a loved one in this tragedy.

 

[korzmom]

I'm so sad for all their losses.My prayers go out to all,and speedy recovery for the surviving miner.

 

[momof2inPA]

Some of the miners left letters for their family to let them know they weren't suffering, just falling asleep.

There seemed to be something lacking in the whole rescue effort. When word came that the air levels were unhealthy, it was like all hope was lost and the rescue efforts slowed. During the Quecreek rescue, there was always a sense of urgency, always a feeling of hope. It would be terrible for those WV families to wonder if something more could have been done.

 

[TottenKing]

When word came that the air levels were unhealthy, it was like all hope was lost and the rescue efforts slowed.

Actually, at that point they specifically said they were abandoning the more conservative methods and were going to go faster. They had previously gone slower feeling like it was safest. Eventually, federal agencies told them they could go faster.

I think the notes must mean so much. What solace must be taken in knowing that they didn't suffer physically.

Hopefully, Randall McCloy will come out relatively unscathed and will not only be able to shed some light on what happened, but will be the only real bright spot. Of course, I always feel like tragedies of any sort make help me see the love and concern we have for our fellow human beings.