Coloradan runs drill that reaches Chilean miners

[sandnsea]

For the record, I couldn't care less who rescued those miners, I'm just glad they're safe. It seems important to some people though.

"Jeff Hart felt the drill pierce the chamber of the San Jose Chilean mine under his feet this morning, making an escape route for 33 men who have waited more than two months for rescue.

Hart, a 40-year-old Arvada resident, was operating the massive U.S.-made Schramm T130 drill when it bored its way down to the jubilant miners.

"This is the most important thing I have done in my work life and probably the most important thing I will ever do," Hart said in a phone interview from Chile.

When the hole opened up, the miners' families and rescue workers waiting more than 2,000 feet above them erupted in cheers and tears.

Miners' relatives crowded around him, hugging and posing for pictures as he walked down from the rescue operation into the tent camp where families had anxiously awaiting the moment."

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_16299495#ixzz11uxV7I8Y

[Botany]

1. Good Job!

Best wishes to all

:yourock: aka drill rock

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. What an uplifting story.

It's nice to hear news that's genuinely positive.

[madmax]

3. Wonderful news.

So happy for the men and their families.

I thought that not telling them the grim news that was first reported that it could take up to 3 months was a smart humane thing to do. One day at a time is easier to deal with then the thought of all those weeks and months. Good psychology applied to this situation.

[leftstreet]

4. Here's a cool photo

AP Photo 10 hours ago
Jeff Hart, the T-130 drill operator from Denver, Colorado, left, embraces Elizabeth Segovia, sister of trapped miner Dario Segovia Rojo, at the San Jose Mine near Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Oct. 9, 2010. Officials announced that the drill trying to reach the 33 trapped miners has reached them after more than two months of efforts. The miners have been trapped since the mine collapsed on Aug. 5.

[maryf]

6. nice!

[blondeatlast]

5. Jeff Hart, the world thanks you. nt

[Bobbieo]

7. Jeff Hart - A real hero!

[Hekate]

8. That is incredible. Kick and Rec.

[ThomasQED]

9. Maybe it's being pointed out

as an example of countries cooperating in crises.

And for the Denver Post, it's a local connection.

[SlipperySlope]

10. They pulled him out of Afghanistan to do this job.

I think they went out of their way to track down one of the most experienced operators and get him on the job.

[The Northerner]

11. K&R