Families of Utah Mine Disaster Take Mine Boss to Task

Oct. 3, 2007 — -- Family members of victims of Utah's Crandall Canyon mine disaster gave lawmakers startling accounts, claiming mine operator Bob Murray ignored dangerous conditions both before and after two mine collapses, and that he callously mistreated the grieving families. The initial cave-in killed six men. A second collapse, 10 days later, killed three more miners, who were working on the rescue effort.

At a House Education and Labor Committee hearing, the families also faulted the Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration for poor oversight of the mine.

"From Day One we have been let down by Mr. Murray and by MSHA," said Mike Marasco, who lost his father-in-law, Kerry Allred, in the disaster. "The manner in which Murray and MSHA approached the families for the first two weeks after the collapse was unbelievable. They just told us what we wanted to hear, and not the facts. … Murray more than once yelled at us when we would ask questions."

Allred's brother Steve called the safety conditions a game of Russian roulette for the miners, with a "gun pointed right at their head," saying that Murray threatened to reprimand employees if they talked to family members about what was going on at the mine.

"Had the mine operator been responsible, held accountable by the United Mine Workers Association and by MSHA, my brother would not have died," said Steve Allred.

Cesar Sanchez's brother Manuel was so concerned about the mine conditions that he was about to leave his job there just before the first cave-in Monday, Aug. 6.

"The Sunday/Monday shift was his last scheduled workday for him," said Sanchez. "Unfortunately, he did not leave soon enough."

Sheila Phillips, holding her grandson Gage, wiped away tears as she told lawmakers about losing son Brandon Phillips.

"It's hard to have hope only to have your heart broken every day. It is hard to see your grandson left fatherless."

Phillips said she stopped attending meetings with Murray because she "couldn't stand to listen to the man."