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CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview with Betsy Mallison

Aired July 26, 2002 - 06:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We told you at the top of the hour about efforts to rescue those nine coal miners trapped in Somerset, Pennsylvania. We're going to get more on this right now, an update.

Joining me now is Betsy Mallison. She is with the State Environmental Protection Agency.

Betsy, thanks very much for being with us. What can you tell us about what's going on at this hour?

BETSY MALLISON, PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: Well, work is still continuing at the site. The rescue workers got down to about 100 feet through the night, and work will be continuing on that today.

The other news is that we are pumping water out of that mine at about a foot an hour. We have nine pumps in place and more will be placed today.

COOPER: When was the last time you had any sense of communication from these miners?

MALLISON: That was yesterday afternoon. With a big drill rig on site, there was so much noise, we just can't hear anything.

COOPER: So at this point, you don't know what their status is.

MALLISON: No, we are hopeful that they are still in the place where we heard them earlier in the day. With the water dropping, we're hoping that helps their situation, as well as the air still being pumped into that area, and the drilling is continuing.

COOPER: How far down is the big drill at this point? You said it's about 100 feet, I think.

MALLISON: It's down to about 100 feet. We are estimating the miners are at about 230. So there is still some work to be done today. Governor Schweiker is on scene right now and taking a look at the drilling process. He will be coming to this area within the next half hour to give everyone an update.

COOPER: So, Betsy, just try to explain, if you can, how exactly this works. You've got this large drill now, I think it's about three feet, drilling down. Will people then go in after the drill? I mean, exactly how does this rescue effort work?

MALLISON: Well, it's a big circle in the ground, which will essentially allow people to be dropped down into the mine to get to the miners that are inside. There is a big, long basket that the special medical response team folks have. That will -- they will be able to put the miners in the basket and bring them back up through that hole.

COOPER: All right, Betsy Mallison with the State Environmental Protection Agency, thanks very much for the update. Obviously, a story that we will be following all day long as it develops. Thanks very much, Betsy.

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