Ben Hatfield
Ben Hatfield
The Sago Mine disaster was a coal mine explosion on January 2, 2006, at the Sago Mine in Sago, West Virginia, United States, near the Upshur County seat of Buckhannon. The blast and collapse trapped 13 miners for nearly two days; only one survived. It was the worst mining disaster in the United States since the Jim Walter Resources Mine Disaster in Alabama on September 23, 2001, and the worst disaster in West Virginia since the 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster...
allowed good longer needed process trying
We needed good information, and we were trying to get them that information. In the process of being cautious, we allowed the jubilation to go on longer than it should have.
anyone certainly damage feet good group hours knew looking people regret save trying
You have a group of people who have been on their feet for 30 to 40 hours trying to save lives. They were looking desperately for a good outcome. I don't think anyone knew how much damage was going to be created. I certainly regret that.
allowed good information longer process trying
We were trying to get them good information and in the process of being cautious, we allowed the jubilation to go on longer than it should have.
results
We are very discouraged by the results of this test.
area breathing miners safe secure tried
These miners tried desperately to secure an area of safe breathing environment.
clinging families hope progress
Progress has been slow. Families are clinging to every hope of survival.
hot information kitchen parking people sharing talking
Everyone was talking about it in the parking lots, in the kitchen and everywhere. People that got the information were sharing it because that was the hot rumor.
initial location miners missing monday multiple remaining reports rough since turned
At that location they encountered a rough barricade structure. With 12 remaining miners that had been missing since the Monday explosion. Initial reports indicated multiple survivors, but that turned out to be a miscommunication.
caused wrong
We don't what went wrong and caused this explosion.
accident coal learn lessons protect
We must learn the lessons from this accident that will better protect coal miners.
continue determined hope information received remain search thus
While we're very disappointed by the information we have received thus far, we remain determined to continue the search so long as there is hope, and hope remains.
develop effort future help identify intend leader prevent safety
We intend to be a leader in the effort to identify and develop safety technologies that will help to prevent future tragedies.
allowed longer
We allowed the jubilation to go on longer than it should have.
army conduct fixed hard people safe
We have an army of people working as hard as they can to get the ventilation fixed so it is safe to go in and conduct the investigation.