Churchgoers honor dead miners, profession

April 12, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

PETTUS, W.Va.

A pair of tall black boots and a lunch pail sat near the altar Sunday at the New Life Assembly church — a memorial to the 29 men killed in the worst U.S. mining disaster since 1970 and a thank-you to those who make their living inside the mountains.

This day, the first Sunday since last Monday’s explosion killed 28 workers and a contractor at Massey Energy Co.’s Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, was for many a time to honor the profession. Tears of mourning fell among the 50 people gathered at the church.

Pastor Gary Williams, who has worked at Massey Energy mines for 18 years, knew many of the victims. On his way to church Sunday morning, he heard Ricky Workman’s name among them for the first time.

“I know his child. I know his wife. He’s a part of my family. He’s a part of my life,” Williams said, tears falling. “Over time, our hearts and the emptiness that we have inside will fade away, but I don’t never want to forget what happened April 5, 2010.”

Some of those who died already have been laid to rest. Crews worked Sunday to remove the bodies of several others who didn’t make it out, but the recovery had to be halted because of high gas readings in the mine. Crews need to drill another hole to vent the mine before they can continue.

Four funerals were Friday, with more scheduled for the weekend. Nearly two dozen will follow in the weeks ahead. Despite hope that four missing miners might survive long enough for rescuers to reach them, officials announced early Saturday that the four had apparently died instantly.

A complete list of victims has yet to be released. Two other miners were injured in the blast, and one remains hospitalized.

A team of federal investigators will arrive today as officials try to figure out what caused the blast. Virginia-based Massey has been under scrutiny for a string of safety violations at the mine, though CEO Don Blankenship has defended the company’s record and disputed accusations that he puts profits ahead of safety.

Authorities have said that high levels of volatile methane gas may have played a role in the disaster. Massey has been repeatedly cited and fined for problems with the system that vents methane and for allowing combustible dust to build up.

During a homily in Wheeling on Sunday, Catholic Bishop Michael J. Bransfield said four years is too short a time between West Virginia mine disasters. The last was at the Sago Mine in 2006, where 12 men perished.

At churches in the southern West Virginia coalfields, the focus was on reflection.

Judy Walker, whose longtime friend Workman died in the accident, stood before the altar at New Life Assembly in tears, mourning the heartache of families she helped cook for this week as they awaited word of their loved ones’ fates.

“All we can do is love on them. When you see them out, hug on them,” she said. “Just let them talk about their fathers, brothers and sons.”

Several followers, including the pastor’s wife, thanked the miners in the congregation for the work they do.