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Dec. 13, 2018 / 12:36 AM GMT
By Phil Helsel
Three people missing in an inactive coal mine in West Virginia were found alive Wednesday after being reported missing four days ago, authorities said.
The three had been trapped in the Rock House Powellton mine in Clear Creek.
“Efforts are underway now to bring the individuals to the surface, where they will be transported for medical treatment,” said Samantha Smith, a spokeswoman for the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
The discovery was made on the fourth day of the search. One of four people who initially went into the mine and managed to get out late Monday told authorities the rest were alive and provided information on their location, state officials said.
The news was greeted with relief by family members who had been anxiously awaiting word.
“I’m just going to give her a hug and tell her how much I love her,” said Randall Williams, occasionally wiping away tears after hearing his daughter, Kayla Williams, was found. “I’ll tell you what’s going to be on her mind, she wants to see her dog; that’s all she thinks about. So I’m going to go get it and take it to her.”
Williams said he knew the searchers were not going to give up until they found the missing trio.
All four were reported missing late Saturday, and a mine rescue team from the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training was activated early Sunday. The three missing people were identified as Williams, Erica Treadway and Cody Beverly.
The person who emerged from the mine Monday was identified as Eddie Williams, officials said.
Rescue teams pumped out water and used fans to pump air into the mine.
Rescuers had explored over two miles of mine in their search for the three, said Eugene White, director of the miners’ health and safety office.
The mine has been inactive for about two years, according to a source familiar with the mine. A sheriff’s spokesman said it’s illegal to enter an abandoned mine.
The mother of one of the three missing said she believes they were in the mine to steal copper. Treadway has three children, her family said.