http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06011/635847.stmThe men trapped inside the Sago Mine tried to bulldoze their way out in a mine car before following their training and barricading themselves behind a makeshift protective curtain, according to the family of the disaster's sole survivor.
By the time rescue workers reached the 12 trapped miners more than 41 hours after an explosion, all but one had died of carbon monoxide poisoning. It was West Virginia's worst coal mining accident in more than 35 years.
Rick McGee, the brother-in-law of survivor Randal McCloy Jr., said yesterday that International Coal Group Inc. chief executive Ben Hatfield told the family that the miners apparently tried to use the same mechanized mine car they rode into the mine to force their way out, but debris blocked their path.
"They found footprints," said Mr. McGee. The men "tried to go back out of the mine. This ain't hearsay. This came from Hatfield's mouth."
Sago mine where 12 died last week collected many safety citationshttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06011/635822.stmState and federal inspection reports of the Sago mine, scene of an explosion that led to the deaths of 12 miners, reveal a continuing series of roof collapses, injured miners and safety violations over the past two years.
West Virginia state inspectors in particular noted regular roof collapses and injuries inside a section -- closed and sealed last month -- that is believed to be the location of the explosion that blew out the ventilation system, dooming the miners.
Inspection reports released yesterday by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration used strong language in reference to the safety practices of the prior owner, Anker West Virginia Mining Co., and International Coal Group, which took over the mine Nov. 18.
A report issued by a federal inspector on Dec. 14 argues that ICG had "shown a high degree of negligence for the health and safety of the miners that work at this coal mine" by permitting conditions that included accumulations of coal and coal dust.