Remember Wilberg

[@stive4700]

I've worked in the mines in Carbon County my entire career. My dad was in this video and was the captain of one of the Mine Rescue teams that went in to Wilberg. I can still remember how afraid I was for his safety, but above all I remember the pride I had for his courage. To me those men on the rescue teams at that mine are the most courageous men in the country and they deserve the recognition that comes with that level of bravery. We recognize our firefighters and police when they go above and beyond, but our Mine Rescue teams don't get that same level of recognition and it's a shame. I had friends who lost their father on that day and my heart breaks for each and every one of them. It was a tragedy that shook this community to it's core and is something that none of us will ever forget.

[@codeysnow2980]

I live in Indiana and I've never seen a mine a day in my life and even I have the upmost respect for miners and the rescue teams. Takes the upmost courage to work in a mine. My condolences to your fallen. Also, I have one question, how do y'all walk with balls that big?

[@jamiewyatt1862]

@@codeysnow2980 my dad was a miner in UK he would have gone to help his work mates no matter what,it's what miners do . And I always think it's down to loyalty ,each would do for the other

[@ziggyzap1]

@@codeysnow2980 same, I live in Nebraska and I am not sure of any mining here but miners are rugged, strong, and willful people and I respect all of them and those that come to the rescue if anything is wrong.

[@rondamontefano6905]

My cousin was the Forman that died in the accident-it was agonizing!! He was a wonderful person & died way too young!!

[@davebaby2]

As a ex-miner ,rescue teams have balls that I can’t even imagine

[@rudywalls8544]

I lost my cousin in this accident. I remember seeing the monstrous smoke on tv when I was younger....horrible. Christmas was never the same. Rest in peace Lester Walls Jr.

[@christiangibbs8534]

My grandfather was an executive at Utah Power and Light at the time. Among other things, he was in charge of all of the company's coal mines. He had been in that mine many times and knew some of these people personally. I'll never forget that December: Christmas decorations obscured by maps of the mine. A never-ending stream of people coming and going. The kitchen table turned into a small command center, which was soon buried in papers and photos. Extra telephone lines were brought into the house, so Grandpa could talk to victim's families, reporters, survivors, rescuers, investigators, rescuers, and everyone else. As an eleven year old, my job was to stand by with a plate of food, and between calls remind him "Grandma says that you have to eat" until he finally relented. He couldn't sleep for more than a couple of hours, and whenever he did awake the first thing he would ask is "What did they say on the news about the mine?" I still remember him hearing the news about the bodies being found. I've never seen anyone look so defeated. He couldn't even speak. He just locked himself in the bedroom so that we wouldn't see him crying as he collapsed from the stress and exhaustion. This disaster turned my tough-as-nails grandpa into a tired old man. He never fully recovered from this disaster. We found out later that he even suffered a heart attack at his office sometime during this emergency. He refused to get any medical treatment, or even tell his family about it because he couldn't allow himself to stop working. Sorry to ramble: This video has brought back a lot of memories. Of course, what Grandpa went through was nothing to the hell these people went through in that mine. The grief of these families, the heroism of the rescue teams, the terrible last moments of these victims can never be understood by someone like me. But I will always feel an emotional connection to this disaster, because of how personally it affected him. May god bless and comfort the souls of those who perished in the mine, their families, and all those who still bear the scars of this disaster. And God bless these miners who ran into hell in the hope of saving their brothers and sister.

[@lindabriggs5118]

I was living in Orangeville Utah the time of this disaster. It was so horrible, they had meetings to update the families in the elementary school gym. Outside, crowding the streets, and main entrance to the to the school were news reporters, and they were so rude to my friends and neighbors trying to get grieving families to tell them what it was like. I remember my best friend and I loudly telling reporters to leave them alone. The county sheriffs officers were also trying to herd the reporters away after families were informed who had died in the fire. My husband at the time worked at the Hunter Power Plant as a chemist and was called up to the mine to mix the ingredients for the foam. My 4 yr old daughter ran up to him crying, "Daddy, please don't die!" We didn't think at that age she could understand the news reports on the TV, but she did. And understood her daddy was going up to that mine to help. The fellow they mentioned that shot out the radiator for the mine ventilation fan was actually a good friend of ours and at the time was a Deputy Sheriff Officer. Anyone who lived in western Emery County, was touched in some way with sorrow and grief. Almost 40 years later, I still feel deep sorrow for those 27 men and woman who perished that fateful day.

[@alanjensen8446]

My father worked in the US Fuel mine in Hiawatha for years, quit for a short while, and then worked in the mine in Horse Canyon for more years. In both places he was a hearvy equipment mechanic and welder. In Hiawatha he was promoted to head blacksmith. He was involved in a major accident when the dispatcher sent him and his motor/repair rig down the same line as a powder train. They met head-on at a curve. Dad said that if there had been exposion it would have brought down the mountain. We kids and our mother (especially) worried about his safety every single day. He warned me that he would beat my butt if I ever considered working in a coal mine (and he never beat me for anything, ever). I was never tempted, but I admire the courage and dedication he and other miners have shown over the years to put food on the table and clothes on the backs of their families.God bless them, every one.

[@N41haul]

I was a coal miner for Emery Mining company, lived in Castle Dale Utah, and Worked the DesBeeDove mine, two of my best friends died in the Wilberg mine disaster, Ray Snow and John Wilsey: RIP my brothers~

[@tyvaughn2225]

I was 6 yrs old living in Southern Utah at the time. I remember seeing this on KSL. All I remember thinking was these brave men gave it all to. I also remember seeing in LDS general conference that following April, President Hinkley (then one of the 12) gave a talk on overcoming death. It was filled with love and power. God bless these family’s.

[@brianmerinar1033]

I work in a mine in West Virginia we had a fire on my section in 2015 our training kicked and got it under control I don’t know how we didn’t loose anyone, I won’t forget Wilberg we are all brothers rest easy my brothers

[@HiaouiTarik]

Good👍

[@HiaouiTarik]

@SEAN PETAIA Nice👍

[@sklerpowell2002]

My dad was one of the members of the mine rescue teams that went in after the disaster. He hasn’t talked about it since it happened I was six when it occurred.

[@fpg213263fu]

Leland Lobato is my Uncle married to my Aunt Carol. He passed away about Six years ago. Did you know Him?

[@kayciejones5239]

I only knew the details because my Dad kept all the documents in a leather satchel. Even the ones from when he went to Washington DC to speak with congress about it. The documents match this film almost exactly, just told without all the legal type jargon. Tell your father thank you. It takes an amazing person to do what he did.

[@andrewsandstrom8245]

Same with my dad, ask him about it and he would get quiet.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

MY hat is off to all of them. Then, now and forever. May God Bless Every One Of You!

[@jamesfstump]

I worked over 20years in pike county Kentucky coal mine I've been through a lot in there fires. water . Got my arm cut off love all my brothers that's ever worked in coal mine I would go back tomorrow my heart goes out to those guys

[@arborist460]

Floyd co here....dad and papaw both worked underground...inland steel and booth energy

[@markmullin4246]

The advice at the end of video; can be used in all walks of life/ jobs! Much respect to the coal miners,underground workers and rescue teams!!

[@jefferymisner8067]

I worked at the Deer Creek Mine during this timeframe. I remember when they recovered those lost, renamed the mine the Cottonwood Mine and continued on. A tragedy I will never forget.

[@kayciejones5239]

My dad was in the cover/thumb nail photo. Bottom row, 4th from the left. Dale Jones. I still have his award plaque from the recovery team hanging on the wall, and handed down the specially engraved Bible his team gave my mother after his death to my sister in law. I’ve never seen a greater group of men. Or a better sense of family bond among workers. Wish he had lived to see this film.

[@terilefevers6189]

Kaycie Jones wow. You should be very proud. Your Dad was a very brave man. A hero indeed. Have a great day/night sweetie.

[@billiescottolsen9608]

YOU DON'T KNOW ME, BUT I KNEW YOU'RE DAD DALE JONES VERY GOOD , I WENT TOO SCHOOL WITH HIM AND I WORKED AT WILBERG COALMINE WITH HIM A VERY LONG TIME AGO. I KNOW YOU KNOW A LOT BETTER THAN ME, BUT YOU'RE DAD, HE WAS A VERY MAN !!! AND A REALLY GOOD HARD WORKING BAD ASS COAL MINER. I DEFINITELY CONSIDERED YOU'RE DAD A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. I AM SO SORRY TOO HEAR ABOUT YOU'RE DAD, I DIDN'T KNOW HE PASSED. IF I MAY ASK, WHAT HAPPENED ? I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND IF YOU WANT TOO KEEP IT PERSONAL. I AM SO SORRY TOO HEAR ABOUT YOU'RE LOSS. MAY HE RIP. I MOVED AWAY FROM EMERY COUNTY FOR QUITE AWHILE, BUT MY WIFE & I MOVED BACK QUITE AWHILE AGO HERE IN HUNTINGTON.

[@andrewsandstrom8245]

My dad worked in Deer Creek, he was also on the mine rescue team and went in on recovery. I remember when it happened, just before Chrismas 1984

[@Btvstudio]

wow! That's gotta be the worst feeling to be trapped like that. I can't even imagine.

[@benisaten]

What amazing, real first class people. Respects to all of them and all those affected. From Niagara 🇨🇦

[@williamgutierrez403]

So much Respect for the guys on the Mine Rescue Team. My very first Boss Steve Radmall (not sure how to spell it sorry Steve) told me about this my 1st night underground. May The Brave 27 Rest In Peace U may be Gone but Never Forgotten. Great Documentary.

[@naxireal869]

My dad was supposed to work the night of the fire and had been sent home. He'd been working double shifts, for a family trip back to Ohio for my first Christmas and his boss sent him home. I was 3 months old and always knew how close I was to not having a dad. Especially since my cousins weren't as fortunate as I was.

[@TheDoppelgangster]

Very moving, very poignant. Thanks for sharing.

[@sk8inguy420]

I have a belt buckle from my dad that is a memorial of this tragedy...the first mine he worked at and died an active member of the UMWA District no. 22

[@georgepaust8416]

I was employed at wilberg mine in 1981 and 82. In 1984 I read about the fire in a newspaper in Denver Colorado. I had quit in 1982 for what I considered unsafe conditions not being addressed. I was incorrect about the actual source and start of the fire, but the end result was what it was. I knew some of these men. Very sad.

[@mariekatherine5238]

However you look at it, mining is a tough life for everyone except the mine owner and now, the corporation heads. You get a hard life, a shorter life, but that’s often paid off by strong families, and, I think, common sense and forthrightness. People speak plainly, no putting on airs, trying to be or portray themselves as something they’re not.

[@GaylaGray-k8g]

Excellent production. Should be shown at all mines.

[@frankprovasek5394]

Sad and excellent as well. And to be sure, it was produced by the Univ. of Texas at Arlington, which was my school. In Utah, UTA means Utah Transit Authority.

[@safetyamsv3515]

should be compulsory viewing for everyone working in coal mines just to remind them of the dangers. RIP Brothers, from an ex South African Mine Worker

[@newhorizonscdc8871]

Much respect to these men. My grandaddy was a disrespected coal miner.🌹

[@Tk.utelab]

God bless my brothers and sister. Survey crew chief Troy Mitchell. Skyline SUFCO. SUFCO wiped me out. Didn’t recover a fall from a overcast roof.

[@cornerstoneweezylouise410]

It blows my mind why in the world they only had 2 entries on there gate sections for the longwall. I truly believe if they had 3 like the mines I worked at this never would have happened. But maybe this was something that changed after this accident.

[@dalekundtz4603]

Rest in peace miner. You will never be forgotten!

[@jburritt426]

God bless all who were affected by this tradgity. This is a very good part of Utah and the people are great people.

[@quill444]

I was on a road trip taking a shortcut from Spanish Fork down to Green River the day this happened in Dec 1984, and everyone pulled together, but there was little anyone could do. I remember having a car with a two-year-old and a wife and a bunch of Holiday gifts, and I just felt helpless. Now, thirty years beyond divorce, my kid is approaching age forty, and his Mom has passed on over a decade ago at age fifty, the time just rushes by. But I'll never forget the drive that year down Highway 6 in Utah. - j q t -

[@bephrem]

Amazing piece of work.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

I hail from the copper country. My mother's family worked for competing companies, and a lot of folks I know either worked for the mining co themselves or if they're in my age or younger, bracket, they are related to folks who did. It seems to me, coal mining in the US is more dangerous than copper mining. I'm not saying that copper mining doesn't have its hazards. We have several types of Pyrite in the region, one of which can produce can cause cyanide posing. All of them produce sulphuric acid when exposed to water and oxygen. In smelter operations, the fine dust produced can be an inhalation hazard, the fumes produced are toxic. And the nature of it makes it quite tempting to reduce the amount of PPE one is wearing. Oh, and in one of the mines in my community, there is a fire that has been burning longer than 60 years! My mother isn't even 60 years old.

[@beardog11able]

R.I.P. ............ from an ex scoop operator.

[@digging6068]

Amazing story, I'd love to be back underground and back on a mine rescue team.

[@HiaouiTarik]

Good👋

[@jamiewyatt1862]

Ex british coal, all rescue men were amazing men. Laugh and joke but when there was a problem you'd be hard pressed to find a better set of men to help you. To all past and present rescue men thank you!!!!!

[@gentleben0748]

Years ago, my father said to me one time when he was bossing a underground conventual deep mine, coal producing section, that a coal shot that was shot was felt on his coal mining section from a different nearby underground coal mining section in the mine where my father worked. My father said that nearby section had shot coal one particular time and when shot, his [my father] section felt the blast underground. My father said all the coal dust everywhere on his section went immediately in the air and the coal dust went suspended and was then waste high on him [my father] and everyone else on his whole crew working section. - There was no fire, only concussion felt on his section from the nearby coal producing underground section when that section shot one particular time a coal shot. - That was all that was said to me, and I assume nothing come of the shot at the time, and everyone went back to work. - 7 14 2022AD roger dale wallace - - -

[@laurabogue3503]

I hate to say it, but if you have a co-worker that is willing to take shortcuts in the mine, maybe that worker should be showed the way out, permanently. One weak link is all it takes to bring the whole workings down on everyone. Better to be safe and go home at the end of the day, than have to be carried out, because someone wanted to save a minute, or a dollar. Be safe guys. Go home at the end of the day. RIP long wallers at Wallberg.

[@anthonytabura6346]

Joe Nevitt, you will never ever be forgotten.. Yes, I remember him riding his White full dresser Harley Davidson... He was married to my aunt Jerry, making him a stepfather to my cousin's Thomasina and Jared.. I know he was a good man, I still remember going river rafting, down Flaming gorge.. It was one heck of a vacation, I will remember it as long as I live.. If I'd have known that's the last summer we would have to spend with Joel.. I definitely would have said more.. Joel was once again one hell of a bit great guy..

[@CC-jj7ne]

That’s the problem I have with corporations. They don’t want old timers. I left all other industries and went to the oilfield because there were old timers still there. Since I’ve been there, they pushed out all of them out. The oilfield industry is currently rebuilding their experience. And the college grad silver spooned brother in laws and nephews running the company’s now don’t have the senses to even consider what “Experienced” means.

[@kalinadog7176]

32:05 , I seriously cannot even imagine that wtf !!! Def dont want to experience it! Is this a common knowledge in the world for people fighting fires without the full firefighter equipment?

[@JoshuaMarsillett-pk1zy]

I'm a coal miner in Utah it's a dangerous job but the people u work with are your brothers you look out for each other and we do what we gotta do to support our families

[@robertmoir5695]

I remember this disaster a number of years ago I v e been wanting to learn more about it pretty recently

[@shanerr7252]

This would be like trying to fight a fire from inside a steme locomotives firebox very unpleasant

[@ronstewart9764]

Saint peter opens heavens gates wide for every miner and says come on in your time in hell is over welcome to heaven

[@scottadcock550]

excellent comment.

[@quill444]

The messages during those last five minutes could easily pertain to helping our fellow citizens today by getting vaccinated. - j q t -

[@abandoned-mines-novascotia]

Unfortunately, that would only apply if we had a vaccine. Every vaccinated person takes a potential host off the table, forever. But we never got a vaccine. We know that now. The "vaccine" was immune-system practice, that lasted 4-6 months. It only lowered your potential symptoms, if you caught the virus. It didn't help anybody else but you, and you alone. It offered no immunity. You can still catch the virus. You can still transmit the virus. All along, there was never any 'help my fellow citizen' aspect to the vaccine slogans. They were all just feelgood slogans, spoken by virtue signalers. None of it was actually true.

[@edwardjonez6615]

MANY MINE FIRES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ATTEMPTING TO BREAK A "PRODUCTION A RECORD" WHO GAINS FROM THAT?

[@jamesbenedict7206]

The mine owners who never go or have never been underground do!

[@gtgibbsgibbs7599]

I worked next door at the Dez Bee-Dove mines for a year, quit then moved to US Fuel mines in Hiawatha where I was the gasman on our mine rescue team. My next door neighbor Kentucky Joe worked at Wilberg. He passed away in that fire. His boss Kenny Valdez, was a friend of mine. We knew the risks we took going underground, to provide for our families. And most of us stayed as safe as we could. These were Union mines UMWA and had every safety regulation there was for our protection. I don’t know the cause of the fire, so I cannot comment one way or another. But I can as God to give the survivors, the families, all concerned. And every miner to this day that goes in under the mountains to mine King Coal, protection and Blessings to come home safe. Gary “Black Flag” Gibbs UMWA locals 1859 and 6363. God Bless

[@MrStaybrown]

Using a oxy/acetylene torch because it's quicker than sparkless cutting tools near a methane rich gob. After the mine said no torches on the face. Yup, definitely. Some people don't understand no and are exempt from everything.

[@jamesbenedict7206]

I was working long wall in Hanna wyo. When this happened.our mine rescue team went there ro help out! Ifelt their pain!

[@frankmuhammad9660]

Brave Men!

[@amareshroy7732]

Minerals r pillar of modern life.but miners r not given regards by general society. Being a ex coal miner I feel in India.

[@HiaouiTarik]

Good job👍

[@mountainman9664]

3rd generation Ohio coal miner! God bless all ya'll that are under ground

[@stugill4513]

brilliant film

[@Seven-u8w6o]

My grandpa is in this

[@allanjames4795]

I was in a mine in Illinois back in2016 and the damn “life-line” was made out of nylon cord which I thought was dumb because the damn thing would melt if a fire broke out!!! Now that’s probably most important if smoke and fire broke out that’s something one would have to feel if smoke were present not being able to see and the line that has all important life saving information is basically burnable???

[@cornerstoneweezylouise410]

God bless are Miners. Unless you have worked there you wouldn't understand stand it's a brother hood unlike most jobs.

[@kvdme]

Wow a mine training video.

[@ai.117unsc4]

The problem what you allways have is simple you done it wrong mining ...look how we do it ® look the machine pipe where we inside walking. You never understand my Joonist © what means on the pipe we have window s where we can mining extra 5m safety so now when you mining ®©...®...©®© .... So like you understood now how we taken of even ^ the tot coals Z®©®©Z and if collapse after removing the pipes welcome To the safe land of Paris _____ good to build city of lights.

[@robjohnson8861]

I cannot imagine being brain dead enough to do this job.

[@garylefevers]

Don't you have a bridge to guard or something you sad, pathetic little troll? What you mean to say is you do not have enough love and respect for you family or yourself to do a hard days work right? Either way get out and get some fresh air. You will feel better about yourself and life in general.

[@robjohnson8861]

@@garylefevers WHAT..... is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?".

[@garylefevers]

@@robjohnson8861 lol. I do not have a clue, unless I Google it. I will say that you are very clever. 😃

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

@@robjohnson8861 African or European?

[@nessunnome8500]

an example home of "white privilege" here