(Map 1 - Click for larger Map)
The accident occured exactly one year from the date of the report, on July 24, 2002.The miners were trapped inside the mine when water broke through the working face of the No.6 entry (See Maps 2 and 3). Water cut off escape from the 1-Left panel (See Map 4).A 6.5 inch drill hole was sunk immediately to facilitate air and communication with the trapped miners.
(Map 2 - Click for larger map)
(Map 3 - Click for larger map)
(Map 4 - Click for larger map)
A 30-inch rescue hole was drilled to the depth at which the miners were located on July 25th.Drilling conintued until the early morning of July 27th when the miners were rescued using the Mine Safety and Health Administration's mine rescue capsule (See Photos 1 & 2)..The first miner reached the surface at 12:55 a.m., Sunday, July 28, 2002, and the last arrived at 2:45 a.m..For the complete report, download it here (7 Mb).See more maps and photos taken during the rescue here.
(Photo 1)
(Photo 2)