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Rescuers 500 Feet From Miners

Crews have drilled to within 500 feet of where the miners are thought to be

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2007 7:52 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Rescue crews have drilled to within 500 feet of where the trapped Utah coal miners are thought to be. The small hole—2 1/2 inches in diameter and now down to a depth of 1,000 feet—would allow a communication line to be dropped. A larger hole—now at 100 feet—would allow food and water to be lowered down.

Owners guess that both holes should be finished within 48 hours. Meanwhile, work has resumed on tunneling an underground escape route for the miners. Mine owner Bob Murray has backed off his original claim that the men could survive for weeks. "The oxygen depends on the size of the cavity they are in," he says.

The Crandall Canyon Mine operates at the bottom of a deep canyon on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. Six coal miners have been trapped since Monday. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
The Crandall Canyon Mine operates at the bottom of a deep canyon on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. Six coal miners have been trapped since Monday. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)   (Associated Press)
The entrance of the tunnel at the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners are trapped is shown Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. The collapse is located just over three miles from the surface. (AP Photo/Pool/Rick Bowmer)
The entrance of the tunnel at the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners are trapped is shown Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. The collapse is located just over three miles...   (Associated Press)
Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp., makes remarks during an update on the rescue efforts for six trapped coal miners during a news conference at the entrance to the Crandall Canyon Mine on Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp., makes remarks during an update on the rescue efforts for six trapped coal miners during a news conference at the entrance to...   (Associated Press)
Rescuer Paul Gilbert looks on at the Crandall Canyon Mine during a tour showing rescue efforts for six trapped coal miners Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Rescuer Paul Gilbert looks on at the Crandall Canyon Mine during a tour showing rescue efforts for six trapped coal miners Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, northwest of Huntington, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)   (Associated Press)
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Related Links

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Utah • miners • coal mine • rescue • Bob Murray • trapped miners

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