[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

I have worked in the coal mining industry my entire life. I have held several positions upto and including the title of General Mine Foreman. Which includes running the entire underground operation. I'm certified as a Mine Foreman, Mine Inspector, EMT, MET instructor, Dust Sampling. This was a very sad and heartwrenching experience for all involved. I have seen and experienced many dangers in the mines, from the section being flooded out completely while my crew was there, I've seen methane ignight, major roof falls and I've even seen death. And too many other things to list. As Pirate Pal has stated, the blame game isn't appropriate at this time. I could spectulate what happened and more than likely get it right ( not trying to pull my own chain). I even told my wife if any at all lived it would have been the younger man. My heart breaks for these families and I can understand there outrage. But, these type of situations are not always easy to control. For example radios don't pick up underground so, you use hand signals and a wired phone line that probably wasn't to clear to start with because it was just hurried up. The miscommunication to me was understandable. The mine phones are not always clear (expecally after an explotion) and it comes out on a loud speaker outside until someone answers it. Anyone could have overheard this coversation and misunderstood out of excitement. The mine was idle throughout the holiday break and IMO (from the map they showed on tv) the sealed area was not very large and the new section had not been there long. One senerio I think is, the methane leaked through the seals and when the fireboss ( the first found dead) put the breakers in for the headdrive it caused the methane to ignight, killing him and blowing out the brattices, causing a short circuit in the ventilation. Making the miners on the section confused and not know where to go because the smoke was in like a whirlwind patern and not making it all the way outside. That is just one i'll state right now but there is a couple more reasons for the explotion. I'll try to answer any ? and try to help you all understand what happened if I can.

Nice post, Crossbones.

Naturally, my interest continues to increase in regard to this situation.

I am curious as heck to understand things a little better.

I have a bunch of questions:
*What is your opinion of how the mining company handled the situation?
*Could the barrier that the miners used really hold back the flow of any potential gases?
*Do you think (just your opinion) that the miners intentionally shared air with the survivor--or did his age make a huge difference in whether he lived or died.

Again--I hate to even ask in a way. But I was really pulling for these guys.