A sign hangs on the fence at Dameron Freewill Baptist Church along Coal River Road Thursday, April 8, 2010 in Dameron, W.Va. On Monday 25 miners were killed in an explosion at nearby Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va. (AP Photo/Jeff Gentner)
More tough news this afternoon from the Upper Big Branch Mine: Rescuers probably won’t get back into the mine until this evening — perhaps not until 6 or 8 p.m. Drillers need more time to put more ventilation holes in and help clear poisonous and explosive gases to make it safe for the rescue teams.
We’ve updated our Gazette online story here.
And, we’ve also got some breaking news:
– First, a story that explains that the mine received 61 withdrawal orders — very serious enforcement actions — from MSHA in 2009 and 2010, but yet MSHA did not take the next step and cite the company for a “pattern of violations.”
– Next, WVDEP is checking the impoundments near the explosion site to make sure they weren’t somehow affected — and at some point, investigators will probably look into whether surface mine blasting nearby had any impact on the Upper Big Branch Mine.
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Is anyone else sick and tired of watching Joe Manchin on TV? He’s not an expert on mine disasters, yet he’s the one LEADING the news conference. LET THE EXPERTS RUN THE SHOW, JOE. THERE ARE MINERS’ LIVES AT STAKE, JOE. Where there’s a TV camera, Joe Manchin puts his face out front. Whether it’s the WVU basketball team at the final four or a mine disaster, Joe is in the picture. He needs to go back to Charleston and let the experts do their jobs.
As the govenor of the Great State of West Virginia, Govenor Manchin should be visible and showing the devastated families of the miners and the people of this state his support. If he was not there, I am sure you would be just as disgruntled and saying “Where is Joe? He should be supporting our state!”. He is probably aware that he is not an expert on mine disaters, but I would much rather see him on the news and let the experts do what they do best and work to save the miners.
Dougie, I am not sure what you have been watching, but Govenor Manchin is not a mining expert, and I don’t think he pretends to be one. He is a Govenor who is concerned for the health and well being of the people of West Virginia. He defers questions regarding specific issues to the people who are qualified to answer. I for one, think it commendable that he is there to show support for the families, the community and the state of West Virginia during this tragedy and other events that show case our state.
I’m from OH and watched the news conference from several national cable networks. It didn’t hit me (and I know I’m an “outsider”) that the Govenor was ‘leading’ the press conference. I thought his remarks were sincere and realistic.
In any event, my prayers are with all of you and please know that the entire country is grieving with you.
Barb
Barb,
As an “outsider” your comments are apprecitated. I am sure Govenor Manchin’s comments are very sincere. I am also sure he understands what the families are going throught having lost an uncle himself in mining blast in his hometown of Farmington, WV.