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Ky. mine blast kills 5

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 21, 2006

HOLMES MILL, Ky. - Another explosion rocks a coal mine. Five more men die. And the question is the same as it was in the Sago Mine disaster: Could better oxygen masks have saved lives?

Some of the six workers caught in Saturday's blast in a Kentucky coal mine had survived the initial blast and put on their oxygen devices, but only one made it out alive, Gov. Ernie Fletcher said. And a brother of the survivor said he passed out a few times as he escaped because his "self-rescuer" wasn't working properly.

The governor said he had contacted the families of the killed workers.

"They want answers - how, why, what caused it - that will help them deal with it a little more," he said.

The details echo those of West Virginia's Jan. 2 Sago Mine explosion, the only survivor of which said he and some of his 12 doomed co-workers had to share their breathing apparatus because at least four of the packs didn't work.

The earlier explosion, however, required a 41-hour rescue effort. Saturday's tragedy at Harlan County's Darby Mine No. 1 unfolded in far less time, making the oxygen-supply question even more pointed.

Kentucky legislators responding to the Sago blast passed a measure requiring mines to store breathing devices underground, and to set up lifelines to help miners find their way out, but the law doesn't take effect until July. That leaves relatives and others wondering if the tougher rules could have made a difference.

Saturday's early morning explosion was powerful enough to spray rock and mud 100 yards outside the tunnel's entrance, Fletcher said.

The cause was not immediately known, but the governor, who quickly flew to the scene, said preliminary evidence suggested methane may have leaked from a sealed-off portion of the mine and mixed with oxygen before something caused it to ignite.

The miners, who were part of a maintenance shift on duty when the blast occurred about 1 a.m. were found about 3,000 feet into the mine, said Ray McKinney, Mine Safety and Health Administration's administrator for coal mine safety and health.

Authorities identified the victims as Amon Brock, 51, of Closplint; Jimmy D. Lee, 33, of Wallins Creek; Roy Middleton, 35, of Evarts; George William Petra, 49, of Kenvir; and Paris Thomas Jr., 53, also of Evarts. Coroner Philip Bianchi said autopsy results could be available as early as tonight.

Local magistrate Chad Brock said the deaths would touch virtually every family in the area.

"You either know them or you're kin to them," he said.

The only survivor, Paul Ledford, was closer to the mine's exit than his co-workers who were killed, Fletcher said. He was about 15 feet from the mine's exit when he came across rescuers on their way in, officials said.

Jeff Ledford said his brother sustained burns to his face and chest and has blisters. "He's destroyed," said Jeff Ledford, one of five brothers, all miners. "I've had to holler at him because he's staring off to space."

Jeff Ledford said his brother told him he passed out a couple of times because of oxygen deprivation.

"He says he's never going back," Jeff Ledford said.

[Last modified May 21, 2006, 07:35:35]