West Virginia Coal Mine Rescue Operation Continues for Trapped Worker

Rescue crews continue a desperate search for a trapped miner in West Virginia. The worker has been missing since Saturday inside the flooded Rolling Thunder Mine. The operation is now in its fifth day near the town of Belva.

According to Governor Patrick Morrisey, this remains a rescue mission. Teams are pumping water at an incredible rate to reach the miner.

Massive Pumping Operation Underway to Reach Trapped Worker

Machines are removing 6,000 gallons of water per minute from the mine. That volume could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in under two hours. The governor stated there is “no quit in anyone here.”

The flooding began when a crew hit an unknown water pocket. It compromised an old mine wall from the 1930s or 1940s. All other miners were safely accounted for after the accident.

Dive teams are on site and special communication equipment has been deployed. The National Cave Rescue Commission provided surplus Army phones. These phones on wires allow for better underground communication.

History of Mining and Hope in the Region

The region has a deep history of coal mining. It is also known for tourism at the nearby New River Gorge. The local community is supporting rescue crews with food and supplies.

A county commissioner recalled a 1968 miracle in the same county. Fifteen miners were rescued after five days in a similar flooding incident. Six others were found alive after ten days trapped underground.

This year, four of six reported U.S. coal mining deaths occurred in West Virginia. One was at another Alpha Metallurgical Resources mine in February. The company operates the Rolling Thunder site.

The intensive West Virginia mine rescue effort underscores the persistent dangers of coal mining. Crews and the community cling to hope as pumping continues around the clock.

Info at your fingertips

How long has the miner been trapped?

The worker has been missing since Saturday. The rescue operation entered its fifth day on Wednesday as crews work non-stop.

What is the main challenge for rescuers?

The primary obstacle is massive amounts of floodwater. Teams are pumping it out at a rate of 6,000 gallons every single minute.

Have miners survived similar situations?

Yes. Historical precedents offer hope, including a 1968 incident where 15 miners were rescued after five days trapped by water in the same county.

What company operates the mine?

The Rolling Thunder Mine is operated by Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc., a Tennessee-based company. It runs several mines in West Virginia and Virginia.

What caused the mine to flood?

The flooding started when miners hit an unknown water pocket. This breach compromised an old wall from a long-abandoned adjacent mine.