July 29, 2002--
Their doctor says it's a testament to their resolve and inner strength that nine trapped Pennsylvania coal miners were in such good shape when they were rescued Sunday.
Three of the miners remain hospitalized, a day after their three-day ordeal ended in a dramatic rescue. The other six have been released.
Doctor Russell Dumire says two of the miners most likely will be released this morning but the third probably will remain hospitalized for another day or two. He has some heart problems that were exacerbated by the accident.
Dumire says the men are in good spirits and can't wait to get home to their families. But he says their bonds to each other remains strong -- doctors have pretty much had to do group rounds because they've been spending time together in the hospital.
Maps To Blame?
Pennsylvania officials say mistakes on underground maps may be to blame for the accident that trapped nine miners.
David Hess, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, says an investigation is planned.
He says the maps apparently showed the abandoned Saxman Mine was about 300 feet away from where the miners were working Wednesday night. But it was actually right next to them.
Hess says the Saxman Mine hasn't been used since the 1950s.
The state requires 200 feet of solid rock between mines.
The Nine Miners
The nine freed miners, in the order they were pulled from the shaft:
-- Randy Fogle, 43, of Garrett. Has a wife and three children, according to a cousin.
-- Harry B. Mayhugh. Thomas Foy's son-in-law, 31, married with two children.
-- Thomas Foy, 51, of Berlin. He's been a miner for over 20 years, but told family members "he'll never go underground again," according to his daughter, Tonya Butler.
-- John Unger, 52, of Hollsopple. His mother, Mary Unger, said he owns a horse and raises cattle on the family farm when he isn't working in the mine.
-- John Phillippi, of Gray. Has a young son "who idolizes everything his father does" and a wife who works at the local post office, according to neighbor Lori Supanick.
-- Ronald Hileman, of Gray. An avid hunter. His wife runs a day care center in Gray, neighbors said.
-- Dennis Hall, 49, of Johnstown.
-- Robert Pugh, 50, of Boswell.
-- Mark Popernack, 41, of Somerset. Has a wife and two children, according to cousin Randy Popernack.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
