Miner’s wife says families understand latest setback in W.Va. rescue effort, cling to hope

Wife: Families understand W.Va. mine rescue delay

MONTCOAL, W.Va. — Families are being stoic about rescuers having to retreat for a third time without finding signs of four coal miners missing since an explosion killed at least 25 in a West Virginia mine.

Rescue crews were pulled out of the massive underground mine early Friday for the third time since the explosion. The cause this time was smoke, indicating a fire that could touch off a new blast.

The wife of one miner who escaped Monday’s explosion uninjured but lost his brother says families know it takes time. She says they don’t want any more deaths at the mine.

Pamela Lynch said relatives are still clinging to hope that rescuers can safely recover the four missing miners. But she said the victims’ families understand why they haven’t been able to carry out their mission yet.