The 10th Anniversary of the 2002 rescue of nine miners trapped in the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County was celebrated Saturday, July 28 with a special program featuring former Gov. Mark Schweiker, other state and federal mine rescue officials, private companies involved in the rescue and several of the rescued coal miners.

Click Here to watch Gov. Mark Schweiker offer his remarks.

 “The rescue was a miracle, there’s no other way to describe it,” said Bill Arnold, Executive Director of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation and the owner of the family farm where the rescue took place.   “People from all over the world have come to learn about the rescue, what coal mining is all about and how everyone worked together to save the lives of the miners.”

“The Quecreek Mine Rescue is a celebration of life, community and determination,” said Arnold. “A community of people-- coal miners, state and federal rescue workers, coal companies and Somerset community volunteers-- came together to achieve a single objective-- rescuing nine men trapped 190 below the ground and return them to their families.

“It is a tremendous example of determination and the Pennsylvania spirit to never give in to overwhelming odds, that is why we are calling this celebration ‘The Triumph of the American Spirit,’” said Arnold.

 Watch these videos of other comments offered at the anniversary celebration on July 28--

-- Joe Sbaffoni, DEP Director of Deep Mine Safety;

-- Bill Arnold invites comments from Rescued Miners John Unger, Thomas Foy; Blaine Mayhugh;

-- Congressman Mark Critz;

-- Joseph Main, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety & Health;

-- Larry Neff, ISG, Inc. (formerly Bethlehem Mines); and

-- David Hughes, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Advisory Committee.

Background

On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine with over 150 million gallons of water.  Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water filled mine.  They were rescued four days later through the combined efforts of state and federal mine rescue agencies and hundreds of workers and volunteers.

Less than a year before, Somerset County was also the site of the crash of Flight 93 during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Online Video: Quecreek Mine Rescue: Critical Decisions

Download: DEP Commemorative Booklet "Nine for Nine" (large file)

NewsClips:

Miners, Rescuers Gather On 10th Anniversary Of Quecreek Rescue

Gov. Schweiker Recalls Quecreek Mine Rescue

Schweiker: Quecreek A Miracle Worth Sharing

Quecreek Mine Rescue Remembered

Quecreek Rescue Drama Held World Riveted

Miners, Rescuers Gather In Somerset County

Post-Gazette Coverage Of 2002 Mine Rescue

Flight 93 Memorial Visits Exceed Expectations

USS Somerset Christened

8/6/2012