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American Morning

Drill Bit Damaged in Pennsylvania Mining Rescue Operation

Aired July 26, 2002 - 09:02   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Watching and waiting in southern Pennsylvania right now, anxiously awaiting, again, repairs on a huge drilling rig there. That rig was drilling an escape shaft to the area where nine minors have been trapped 250 feet below ground. About 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time this morning, seven hours ago, the drill bit was damaged. Efforts now underway to retrieve the bit and make repairs.

Brian Palmer is near the scene in Somerset, Pennsylvania watching and listening for word there.

Brian, good morning again to you.

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

You covered much of it in the introduction. The rescue operation has been stalled for about seven or eight hours since that drill bit broke at about 1:00 or 2:00 a.m., according to Governor Mark Schweiker who gave a press briefing not too long ago.

They're trying to retrieve that drill bit which we're told by mine safety specialists weighs about as much as a human being, about the size -- about 200 pounds the size of a -- the weight of an ample man.

Now they're still drilling water out of that site there. The Department of Environmental Protection says that they're actually ahead of the water. They're pumping out about a foot a minute. They're very pleased about that, but they haven't made any real contact with the minors, they haven't heard any of this tapping or anything like that for roughly 24 hours -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Brian. Brian Palmer again, watching and waiting there in southwestern Pennsylvania. Time is of the absolute essence there as that effort continues.

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