Miners' Families Lash Out at Mine Owner, MSHA

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Families of the men who died in the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse and rescue effort unleashed a torrent of criticism today on the mine owner and federal mine safety officials. Mike Marasco - the son-in-law of trapped miner Kerry Allred - said mine owner Bob Murray and MSHA officials treated the families quote "unbelievably" during the first two weeks after the collapse:

"They just told us what we wanted to hear, and not the facts," says Marasco. "All we heard was earthquake, earthquake.  We wanted to know when we would see our loved ones again. Murray more than once yelled at us when we asked questions."

Marasco and four other families members testified in Washington today during a meeting of the House Education and Labor Committee. Each complained that mine officials are now planning to seal the mine without retrieving the bodies of the miners. All expressed a lack of confidence in the government's regulatory standards, saying the mining techniques at Crandall Canyon were obviously unsafe. Kerry Allred's brother Steve, himself a miner, says many of the workers told him they feared for their safety:

"Him and his coworkers were afraid to say anything about safety because they were afraid of losing their jobs - especially the new guys," says Allred. "In my opinion, they weren't trained enough in safety."

Utah Congressmen Rob Bishop and Jim Matheson also participated in the hearing, offering condolences and promising a thorough investigation. Matheson urged his colleagues not to give up on options that might allow the bodies of the six miners to be recovered for their families.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW