After Reports to the Contrary, Only One Miner Survives

Talk about a total screw-up in mis-communication: This is from The New York Times:

SAGO, W. Va., Jan. 4 - In a heartbreaking turnaround, word spread early this morning that 12 of 13 miners trapped in a West Virginia coal mine had been found alive, only to be followed three hours later by an announcement that all but one of them in fact had died. The reversal left relatives who had gathered at the mine here stunned and furious.

One miner was rescued. A doctor said this morning that the survivor, Randal McCloy Jr., 27, was hospitalized in critical condition. The miners had been trapped 260 feet below the surface since an explosion occurred early Monday morning.

Darlene Groves, left, and Crystina Neeling reacted to the initial news that 12 miners had been found alive. Hours later, their jublilation turned to sorrow as officials announced that all but one miner had died. Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press

"We believed there were 12 survivors," Bennett K. Hatfield, the chief executive officer of International Coal Group, the mine's owner, said in televised comments. "That was the initial communication from the command center. But it was wrong."

Mr. Hatfield said that the mistaken report spread when people in the command center misunderstood a phone call from rescuers in the mine shaft. "Apparently the rescuers meant to convey that they had found 12 individuals and were trying to check their vital signs," to determine if any were alive, he said.

Bennett K. Hatfield, the chief executive officer of International Coal Group, said that the mistaken report spread when people in the command center misunderstood a phone call from rescuers in the mine shaft. "Apparently the rescuers meant to convey that they had found 12 individuals and were trying to check their vital signs," to determine if any were alive, he said. Brendan Smialowski/European Pressphoto Agency

At a news conference today, Mr. Hatfield said that he waited to correct the false impression even after a second call from the rescuers made it clear that the first call had been misunderstood. He said he waited because it wasn't clear then whether all 12 were dead or just some of them.

"Let's put this in perspective," he said, explaining his state of mind at the time. "Who do I tell not to celebrate?"

But he said this morning that he regretted the delay. The families "have some basis for their frustration, having been put through this roller coaster," he said.

Wait a minute. Someone in the command center misunderstood the rescuers down in the shaft. Instead of reporting the rescuers found 12 individuals, the command center reported they found 12 survivors. And even after this was errorneously reported, Hatfield decided to sit and wait on this falsely reported news release, even after the rescuers told Hatfield that the first call was misunderstood? What incompetence and stupidity. Hatfield and the International Coal Group should have waited until all the facts have been ascertained, before releasing any information or statements regarding this crisis. This is an incredible screw-up.

I'm wondering if the relatives of these miners will sue the International Coal Group for emotional distress as a result of their incompetence?