Explosion In E. Kentucky Mines. 3 Killed 2 Missin

May 20th, 2006, 09:31 AM

An explosion in an eastern Kentucky coal mine killed three miners and left two other workers missing, a federal mine safety official said Saturday. The blast at the Darby Mine No. 1 in Harlan County occurred between midnight and 1 a.m. while a maintenance shift was on duty, said Amy Louviere, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The three dead miners were found by rescue workers, she said. One other miner was able to walk out of the mine, but two were missing, she said.

Louviere said she didn't know how many workers were on duty when the blast occurred, but no production was going on at the time. Mine rescue teams went into the mine around 3 a.m. and found the dead miners, she said.

Federal and state mine officials were at the scene but no cause had been determined, she said.

Names of the victims had not been released. The underground mine is operated by Kentucky Darby LLC, Louviere said.

**SWVA-Football** · May 20th, 2006, 09:51 AM

That's definitely tragic, but what would have been REALLY strange is if it were in West Virginia AGAIN.

Condolences to the families! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

**imported_mega** · May 20th, 2006, 09:52 AM

I have a friend that lives over there and works over there, I dont know if its that mine, I surely hope not.

May 20th, 2006, 11:20 AM

Total killed up to 5 now. Must of found the two missing miners.
Remember these families.

**beamer_ball** · May 20th, 2006, 11:44 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/20/min....ap/index.html
Five dead in Kentucky coal mine explosion
'There's just a lot of heartbroken people'

Saturday, May 20, 2006; Posted: 11:36 a.m. EDT (15:36 GMT)

HOLMES MILL, Kentucky (AP) -- An explosion in an eastern Kentucky coal mine killed five miners while one other miner was able to get out alive, Gov. Ernie Fletcher said Saturday.

The blast at the Darby Mine No. 1 in Harlan County occurred between midnight and 1 a.m. EDT while a maintenance shift was on duty, said Amy Louviere, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.

"We don't know the details of the cause," Fletcher said.

The five dead miners were found by rescue workers, the governor said. The rescue teams initially found three dead workers and later found two more, he said.

Louviere said she did not know the survivor's condition but said the miner was able to walk out of the mine. Louviere did not know how many workers were on duty when the blast occurred, but no production was going on at the time.

Names of the victims had not been released. The underground mine, operated by Kentucky Darby LLC, is located about 250 miles southeast of Louisville in a mountainous area near the Virginia border. (Map)

Relatives of the miners gathered before dawn at the Cloverfork Missionary Baptist Church near the mine to await word about their loved ones. State and federal mine officials informed the family members of the deaths, said Mike Blair, the church's pastor.

"There's just a lot of heartbroken people," he said.

**beamer_ball** · May 20th, 2006, 07:47 PM

The victims names have been released.

Blast Kills 5 in Kentucky

**Unchained** · May 20th, 2006, 08:07 PM

The quote from Mary Middleton really hit home.
"He thought about coming out of the mines, but we have two kids-it was a job to make a living". I know what that is like. The families, friends of these folks are in my prayers.

**imported_trumpet1988** · May 20th, 2006, 08:03 PM

I know people from there. I hope everything's okay.

**imported_V_T** · May 20th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Guys my dad and brother both worked about 2 miles from the accident at Huff Creek Mines... Lone Mountain, Pray for their safety as they re-enter the mines on Monday...