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CNN Live Event/Special

Mining Rescue News Conference

Aired July 26, 2002 - 16:45   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.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: I am told that there is a news conference getting under way right now in Somerset, Pennsylvania. That's the sign of those mine workers trapped underground, 230-some feet underground. They have been trapped since Wednesday night.

And this news conference, officials in that area had said it would be several hours, at least another hour or so before they would talk to the press again. But just in the last few minutes, we got word that they wanted to make another statement.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

HESS: Thanks, Dave.

Ladies and gentlemen, we do have a brief announcement...

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

HESS: Probably about 15 seconds, sir. OK? I'm counting down.

QUESTION: Is this good news?

HESS: We give you only good information here, we hope. OK. Are we ready?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead, Dave.

HESS: OK.

My name is David Hess. I'm secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

We just got positive confirmation a few minutes ago that the drill bit for rescue shaft No. 1 is in fact out of the hole and that we are now making preparations to begin drilling in rescue shaft No. 1.

(ENDS IN PROGRESS)

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