Reply #2: Mine Search Over, Utah Towns Try to Cope

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

By BROCK VERGAKIS

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Signs of prayer and support for six trapped miners remained on display Saturday as residents of central Utah's coal belt struggled with the realization that the men would not be found alive.


Emery County Sheriff Sgt. Dusty Butler looks down as he walks past six yellow ribbons at the entrance to the Crandall Canyon Mine, Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, in northwest of Huntington, Utah. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)


"It's a hard thing. Some are coping with it better than others," said Colin King, a spokesman and lawyer for families of the six miners trapped nearly four weeks ago in a collapse. "They're still dealing with the fact they have to accept now that these miners are not going to be recovered any time soon - that they've died, in all likelihood."

Rescue efforts at the Crandall Canyon Mine were suspended indefinitely Friday.

A thunderous mountain shudder early on Aug. 6 caused mine ribs to shatter, trapping Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips and Manuel Sanchez. It is not known whether they survived the initial collapse.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070901/D8RCVLF80.html