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Jan. 3, 2006
 
DEVELOPING NEWS: 13 Miners Trapped Following Explosion in Upshur County Mine
 
By HNN Staff
 
Tallmansville, WV (HNN) – Officials said Monday, Jan. 2, 2006 that 13 coal miners are trapped in the Sago Mine at this Upshur County community south of Buckhannon. The miners were trapped underground after an explosion that occurred between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, according to Gov. Joe Manchin’s office.
 
According to the governor’s office and news reports, two cars of miners entered the mine, which had been closed for the holidays. The miners felt some kind of disturbance, but only the second car, which had six miners, was able to escape the mine.
 
According to reports from WBOY in Clarksburg, the miners could be trapped as far as 1 1/2 miles down the underground mining operations. Mine rescue teams are on site. Emergency crews have pushed media and onlookers away from the accident because they are trying to pump out any excess natural gas as a precaution.
 
Gov. Joe Manchin and his wife, Gayle, were in Atlanta to attend the Nokia Sugar Bowl, where West Virginia University, Manchin’s alma mater, will take on the University of Georgia Monday evening, Jan. 2, 2006 in Atlanta. Lara Ramsburg, the governor’s spokeswoman, said the Manchin left Atlanta at 4 p.m. and will travel to Buckhannon, where he will monitor the situation. Ramsburg said rescue workers are monitoring natural gas and carbon monoxide levels above and below ground.
 
"They want to make sure everything is as safe as possible before going in," she said.
 
Anker West Virginia Mining Co., Morgantown, owns Sago Mine. International Coal Group Inc. purchased Anker in 2005.
 
International Coal Group (ICG), based in Ashland, Ky., was formed in May 2004 when investor Wilbur Ross led a group that bought many of the assets of Horizon Natural Resources in a bankruptcy auction. ICG produces coal from 12 mining complexes in northern and central Appalachia (Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia) and from one complex in the Illinois Basin.