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Families, Critics Question Safety of Utah Mine

Mourner assails company owner at rescue worker's funeral

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 21, 2007 9:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – A friend of a missing miner insulted the mining company CEO at a funeral yesterday as critics around the country pointed fingers. They say a safety organization has gone too easy on Bob Murray, letting him engage in dangerous “retreat mining” even though his mines are prone to “bumps,” or sudden earth shake-ups. Defenders say Murray has improved safety.

A worker’s widow asked mourners not to challenge Murray, but one angrily gave him a dollar bill toward the rescue effort. He tossed it aside and told the man to “find out about the Lord.” And the brother of another trapped miner says he is getting calls from people claiming that the mine was unsafe, the AP reports.

Dale Black's sister Gayle McDonald hugs Wendy Black, Dale's wife, during the funeral service for Dale Black at Huntington City Cemetery, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, in Huntington, Utah. Dale, 48, died Aug.... (Associated Press)

A photo of Dale Black is shown at a funeral service for Black at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners have been trapped since August 6, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007,... (Associated Press)

Dale Black's wife Wendy, from left, mother Earlene, daughter Ashley Pruitt, Pruitt's husband Brad, and son Corey mourn during a funeral service for Dale Black at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall... (Associated Press)

Dale Black's son Corey, in green, is comforted by his friends at a funeral service for Dale Black at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners have been trapped since... (Associated Press)

Pallbearers carry the casket of Dale Black during a funeral service at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners have been trapped since August 6, Tuesday, Aug. 21,... (Associated Press)

Pallbearers carry the casket of Dale Black during Black's funeral service at the Little Bear campground near the Crandall Canyon Mine where six coal miners have been trapped since August 6, Tuesday, Aug.... (Associated Press)

Ashley Pruitt, Dale Black's daughter, cries in the arms of a friend while holding a rose and an American flag during the funeral of her father at Huntington City Cemetery, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, in Huntington,... (Associated Press)

Corey Black, son of Dale Black, left, Ashley Pruitt, Black's daughter;, center, and Wendy Black, Black's wife, hold hands during Dale Black's funeral at Huntington City Cemetery, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007,... (Associated Press)

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Families, Critics Question Safety of Utah Mine

Mourner assails company owner at rescue worker's funeral

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Agreement allows for individual criminal prosecutions

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Digging machine could help speed up efforts

New Zealand Mourns 29 Lost Miners

But mine should reopen, civic leaders say

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Many willing to talk to media—for a price

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Families, Critics Question Safety of Utah Mine

Mourner assails company owner at rescue worker's funeral

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Stories

safety • Utah • mine • miners • Bob Murray • mine collapse • Crandall Canyon Mine

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

West Virginia Coal Mine Settles for $210M in Disaster

Agreement allows for individual criminal prosecutions

Trapped Miner's Body Recovered

Larry Marek, 53, died after cave-in

Rescuers Work Through Night, But Miner Still Trapped

Digging machine could help speed up efforts

New Zealand Mourns 29 Lost Miners

But mine should reopen, civic leaders say

Miners Already Breaking 'Blood Pact'

Many willing to talk to media—for a price

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?