Utah mine efforts end with no hopes of recovery

Utah mine efforts end
with no hopes of recovery

SALT LAKE CITY — Signs of prayer and support for six trapped miners remained on display Saturday as residents of central Utah’s coal belt struggled with the realization that the men would not be found alive. “It’s a hard thing. Some are coping with it better than others,” said Colin King, a spokesman and lawyer for families of the six miners trapped nearly four weeks ago in a collapse. “They’re still dealing with the fact they have to accept now that these miners are not going to be recovered any time soon — that they’ve died, in all likelihood.” Rescue efforts at the Crandall Canyon Mine were suspended indefinitely Friday. A thunderous mountain shudder early Aug. 6 caused mine ribs to shatter, trapping Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips and Manuel Sanchez. It is not known whether they survived the initial collapse. Three rescuers working underground were killed in a second collapse Aug. 16, bringing an abrupt halt to tunnel-clearing efforts to reach the miners.

Security fence proponent
wins Texas straw poll

FORT WORTH, Texas — Republican presidential hopeful Duncan Hunter, a California congressman known for being tough on illegal immigrants, landed a surprise win in the state’s first-ever straw poll Saturday. Hunter, a chief proponent in Congress of building a security fence across the entire length of the U.S.-Mexico border, had 41.1 percent of the votes cast. Finishing second with 20.5 percent was candidate-in-waiting Fred Thompson, who is expected to formally launch his campaign next week, and third with 16.7 percent was the only Texan in the race, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside.