Thursday, April 15, 2010
Upper Big Branch Mine disaster
On Friday, April 9th, I went to Montcoal, WV to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster area to photograph the last day of search efforts. Four missing miners still had not been located, and search crews struggled all day to get to the second sealed refuge chamber where miners might be. When I arrived, I photographed the front of the mine entrance, supporters with signs, and a press conference with West Virginia governor Joe Manchin and Kevin Stricklin, an administrator for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Later that evening, I attended a candle light vigil for the victims and families still awaiting news of their loved ones. After midnight, it was announced that there were no survivors and 29 miners in total were killed in the explosion on Monday.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Awesome photos! Such a sad, sad story. You captured it so well.
ReplyDeleteA phenomenal photo essay.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick a favorite, it would be a tie between Coal Miners Daughter and the shot above it.
This is notch photojournalism, the kind where captions aren't needed.
I only wish I could have been there all week like the other news media. It was amazing to document the strength and pride of those miners and families. In a lot of ways they are misunderstood. Thanks for the support everyone.
ReplyDeleteVery moving...
ReplyDelete