Rescued Miners Face Resentment
S O M E R S E T, Pa., Nov. 14 -- The nine men rescued from a flooded Pennsylvania mine last July are on a publicity blitz, promoting their book and movie deal they signed with Disney, but back in coal country, some of the people who worked so hard to save the miners say the so-called "miracle" has turned sour.
The miners plucked from 240 feet under the ground of Somerset County, Pa., after 77 harrowing hours was a made-for-Hollywood ending. As it turns out, it was not actually the end of the story.
On the surface, the events of the past few months have looked like a continuation of the fairy tale: The miners met President Bush, appeared at a NASCAR event, a Pittsburgh Steelers game and were guests on Oprah. Their book is out this week and Disney's TV movie airs at the end of the month. Disney is the corporate parent of ABCNEWS.
People in this tight mining community don't like to talk about the rescue, but some of the longtime co-workers of the rescued miners are resentful.
"After you hear so much, you're tired of hearing it," said miner Gary Walker, who pumped water from the flooded tunnels during the rescue.
"Day after day after day, they're going here, they're getting this, they're doing that," said Walker. "There's a lot of hard feelings, I would say. Jealousy feelings."
Possible Lawsuit Sparks Fear
Not only is there jealousy, there's now, among many of the men who still work at the mine, fear that the rescued miners might file a lawsuit that would result in the mine being shut down.
"If they come in and then try to file suit against the company, well, then the company's just going to have to fold," said Walker. "And then what do you have? Then we're all without jobs. We've lost everything."
Howard Messer, an attorney representing seven of the nine rescued miners, says two of his clients received unsigned letters, telling them to keep their mouths shut. But he says he and his clients have neither the intention nor the ability to shut down the mine.
"They don't harbor any ill will toward anybody," said Messer. "They just want to go about their ordinary, everyday lives again. Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen."
