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Mine Collapse Survivor Didn't Hear the Cave-In

Found out via text message

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 13, 2007 10:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – One of the four miners who escaped the Crandall Canyon collapse that trapped six men told the AP he didn't hear or feel the cave-in as it was occurring. Tim Curtis, who was near the mine's entrance at the time, heard of the collapse via text message on an personal emergency device. "It's just like you are here and three miles away are you going to hear a balloon pop?" he says.

Curtis, a 33-year-old who works as a mine fire boss, or safety inspector, is the third generation miner in his family. He has helped with the rescue efforts every day since the collapse. Searchers decided yesterday to drill a third hole in a different area in the hopes of finding the trapped miners.

People in the mining community of Huntington, Utah, sign a card for miner Manuel Sanchez during a candlelight vigil for the six coal miners trapped in the Crandall Canyon Mine Friday, Aug. 10, 2007.  (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
People in the mining community of Huntington, Utah, sign a card for miner Manuel Sanchez during a candlelight vigil for the six coal miners trapped in the Crandall Canyon Mine Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. ...   (Associated Press)
Cindy Sherman, left,  and Brande Sherman put up a sign for miners and their families  on the fence of Canyon View Jr. High where the miner's families are stationed in Huntington Utah,  Tuesday, Aug.  7,  2007. (AP Photo/ Deseret Morning News,Michael Brandy)
Cindy Sherman, left, and Brande Sherman put up a sign for miners and their families on the fence of Canyon View Jr. High where the miner's families are stationed in Huntington Utah, Tuesday, Aug. ...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Robert Murray, on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp, stands with an unidentified miner, left, inside the Crandall Canyon Mine northwest of Huntington, Utah early Saturday morning.   Six coal miners have been trapped in a rear section...
In this photo released by Robert Murray, on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, Robert Murray, founder and chairman of Cleveland-based Murray Energy Corp, stands with an unidentified miner, left, inside the Crandall...   (Associated Press)
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