Trapped Utah Miners

Six miners were trapped in the Crandall Canyon mine in Emory County, Utah, on August 6, 2007. Originally thought to have been caused by a 4.0 magnitude earthquake in the Huntington Canyon area, further investigation revealed that the seismic activity attributed to the earthquake was caused by the collapse itself.

Fast Facts

1. Six miners were trapped over 1,200 feet underground
2. Nine people died and another six were injured in the collapses
3. Mine owner Robert Murray has been accused of putting his employees at risk and not doing enough to rescue the trapped miners¹
4. 325 citations against the mine had been issued by government mine inspectors since 2004 ²

Rescue Efforts

Rescue efforts included drilling seven holes into the mine in an attempt to locate the trapped miners. After the third hole was drilled on August 15, rescuers reported hearing vibrations, which they believed to be sounds made by the trapped miners. On August 16, a second collapse trapped rescue workers underground, killing three and wounding another six.

Rescue Mission Abandoned

The rescue efforts were halted following the second collapse and officially suspended on September 1, 2007. The mine was sealed off on September 21, leaving the original six workers' bodies inside.

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