Communications Nightmare, Only One Miner Survives. Initial story incorrect … (Miracle Miners!!! Relatives were yelling “They’re alive!”
UPDATE: A terrible update to report on the fate of the 12 trapped miner. Initial reports were inaccurate. From grief to hope back to grief. A miscommunication and people’s want and need for good news regarding the 12 trapped miners made a terrible story even worse. As CNN reports, Grief, anger as all but one miner found dead.
TALLMANSVILLE, West Virginia (CNN) — Rescuers found the sole survivor of an explosion that trapped 13 miners in a West Virginia coal mine “by the sounds of moans,” mining officials said Thursday, about 12 hours after family members learned the initial report that their loved ones were alive was erroneous.
Without giving a reason for the miscommunication — and without assigning blame — mining executive Ben Hatfield said he deeply regrets “allowing the jubilation to go on longer than it should have.”
Original story … unfortunately proved to be premature:
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With the news that was coming out today, no one could have seen or expected this. 12 Miners found alive after 41 hours underground following the blast can only be described as a miracle. 
Twelve miners caught in an explosion in a coal mine were found alive Tuesday night, more than 41 hours after the blast, family members said.
Bells at a church where relatives had been gathering rang out as family members ran out screaming in jubilation.
CNN: BREAKING NEWS Family members say 12 men have been found alive in a West Virginia mine, nearly 40 hours after they were trapped. One man died.
Family members say 12 miners found alive (CNN)
Friends and family members erupted in cheers and the town’s church bells began ringing as the report became known
“Believe in miracles,” said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, who has expressed optimism throughout the ordeal.
Fox News: All Twelve West Virginia Coal Miners Found Alive
Helen Winans, whose son Marshall Winans, is one of those trapped said she believes there was divine intervention.
“The Lord takes care of them,” she said. Breanna Williams, whose sisters’ father Jesse Jones is among the trapped, said she heard the miners had been found from other families who ran from the church proclaiming, “Praise the Lord, they are alive.”
WCHS8: Family members say 12 miners alive
TALLMANSVILLE, W.Va. _Family members say they’ve been alerted that all 12 remaining miners who have been missing in an Upshur County mine for more than 40 hours have been found alive.
People waiting for word at the Sago Baptist Church are crying, hugging and screaming ‘They’re alive.’
List of miners trapped in W.Va. mine
- Alva Martin “Marty” Bennett, 50, of Buckhannon
- Jim Bennett, 61, of Philippi
- Jerry Groves, 57, Cleveland, W.Va.
- George Hamner Jr., of Gladyfork, age unavailable
- Terry Helms, 50, of Newburg
- David Lewis, 28, of Philippi
- Randal McCloy, 27, of Simpson
- Martin Toler, 50, of Flatwoods
- Fred Ware Jr., 59, of Tallmansville
- Jack Weaver, 52, of Philippi
- Marshall Winans, 49, of Talbert
Others covering the miraculous events this evening:
The Gateway Pundit, 1 Body Found, Rescuers Search for 12 Miners THEY ARE ALIVE!!!
[...] (The rest of the story) [...]
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