Survivor Shows Signs of Brain Injury

Jan. 5, 2006 &#151 -- The health of the sole survivor of a mine accident in West Virginia has improved, but he shows signs of brain damage after more than 42 hours trapped 260 feet underground, according to his doctor.

"He [Randal McCloy] has had a mild brain injury as a result of oxygen deprivation," said Lawrence Roberts, chief of the trauma and surgical care section and director of the trauma center at Ruby Memorial Hospital Center, West Virginia University. "Time will tell to what extent he recovers from this."

McCloy, 27, suffered no broken bones or head injuries in the explosion in the Sago Mine, and he arrived at the hospital with relatively little carbon monoxide in his blood. In addition to being severely dehydrated and lacking oxygen, McCloy suffered a collapsed left lung while in the mine. That lung is recovering.

"Randal had a stable night," Roberts said. "We performed dialysis to continue to filter his blood. His heart gained in strength."

Roberts said McCloy was in a coma and had not "awakened any further." While he did not deny reports that McCloy had squeezed his wife's hand in recognition, he said that several doctors were unable to elicit a similar response.

"I have no good theories about why Randal survived," Roberts said. "I find it no less than a miracle given what I've learned about the environment he was in for over 40 hours."

Roberts said doctors remained "hopeful" about McCloy's prognosis.

Relatives called McCloy, who lives in Simpson, a quiet family man who would likely cringe at his status as the "miracle miner." They said he did not like working in the mines but stuck it out for three years because it enabled him to provide for his wife and two children, 4-year-old Randal III and 1-year-old Isabel.

"I know he was fighting to stay alive for his family because his family was his No. 1 priority," said Rick McGee, McCloy's brother-in-law and a fellow miner who lives next door to McCloy.