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.

Today more than 10,000 visitors a year visit the rescue site looking to learn more about the "Quecreek Miracle."  The site became part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Historical Marker Program in 2006.  The site is also an affiliate of the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh in 2010.

The Quecreek Mine Rescue site is just 11 miles from where the September 11, 2001 crash of Flight 93 which cost 40 passengers and crew their lives.

A video produced by the Commonwealth Media Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2003 documented the decisions made step-by-step during the rescue effort.  Click Here to watch the video.

The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation oversees operations of a visitors center, maintains the rescue site and offers programs to education the public about the rescue.

The rescue site and visitors center is located at 151 Haupt Road in Somerset.  The Foundation can be contacted at 814-445-4876.

Joe Sbaffoni, Director of DEP’s Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, one of the key decision makers in the rescue, is retiring this year after 43 years experience as a mine safety professional and more than 30 years with DEP in public service.

Click Here to watch videos from the 10th anniversary celebration.

NewsClips:

New Federal Rules To Protect Streams Near Coal Mines

Coal Mines Targeted In New Federal Stream Rules

Editorial: Are We Prepared For What’s After Coal?

Plans Underway To Quench Carbondale Mine Fire

Natural Gas Now Biggest U.S. Electricity Source

7/20/2015