Trio trapped deep inside abandoned WV mine safely rescued after 4 days
Three people who defied no trespassing signs and entered an abandoned coal mine Saturday have been located alive in an air pocket hundreds of feet under a mountain, according to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training, WSAZ reported.
“Efforts are underway now to bring the individuals to the surface where they will be transported for medical treatment,” read a statement from the organization, according to ABC News.
All three were safely rescued and taken to an area hospital after a brief reunion with family and friends, ABC News reported.
TV station WVVA identified the three in the mine as Kayla Williams, 25; Erica Treadway, 31, and Cody Beverly, 21, all of West Virginia.
Eddie Williams, a fourth person who accompanied the group, found his way out of the Rock House Powellton mine Monday. The 43-year-old Artie, W.V. resident was assisting with clues on the whereabouts of the trio, said a state press release.
After escaping, Eddie Williams told authorities the trio were alive in a “pocket of good air” that is more than 1,000 feet past where rescuers have ventured, reported TV station WPIX. The station said the mine in Clear Creek has been shuttered and inactive for more than two years.
An ATV vehicle believed to have been used by the group was found outside the mine, said state officials in a release.
State officials reported Wednesday that searchers were trying to reach the group from multiple entrances, and had advance 4,000 feet into the mine’s Rock Creek portal. A main entrance on the Boone County side of the mountain was too flooded to allow crews inside, state officials said.
Kayla Williams’ aunt, Teresa Shea, told ABC news she imagines the three may have panicked and gotten separated from each other in the darkness.
“It’s so dark that you can put your hand in front of your face and not see it,” William’s sister, Camelia William, told ABC.
Four-man crews have been exploring the mine since Sunday, but are being hampered by water, mud and bad air, said a state press release. The National Guard was also assisting, WV officials said.
Gov. Jim Justice issued a statement earlier this week, noting the group was not only trespassing at the site, but exhibited poor judgment by going inside the mine.
“All West Virginians who are driving, riding ATV’s, or hiking near abandoned mines please STOP entering the abandoned mines,” said Justice in the release.
“This is extremely irresponsible behavior that puts our first responders and mine safety crews in unsafe situations.... I cannot stress enough how dangerous these abandoned mines are and how hazardous they are to humans.”
ABC 11 is reporting the three that were trapped in the mine did not use a main entrance, but instead crawled in a small shaft on the side of the mountain that may have been created for ventilation.
According to officials, the group was looking for copper wire inside the mine, ABC News reported. A criminal investigation “into the group’s activities” is pending.
This story was originally published December 12, 2018 at 1:02 PM.