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CNN Live Sunday

Interview With Brad Cober

Aired July 28, 2002 - 18:08   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The people who live and work in Pennsylvania mine country know the danger is part of the job. The community has been through so much in recent months. First, it was the crash of United Flight 93 on September 11 near Shanksville. And now, with the gut-wrenching waiting of the past few days.

Somerset County Commissioner Brad Cober joins us to talk about the community reaction to all this. Good to see you, Mr. Cober, thank you so much for joining us.

BRAD COBER, SOMERSET CO. COMMISSIONER: I am glad to be here, Carol.

LIN: This has got to be a happy day for all of you. Have you sort of digested the moments after they unfolded, hour after hour last night?

COBER: I'll tell you, it was tough sleeping last night, even though everybody obviously was tired as could be after the long ordeal -- after getting the adrenaline beyond and the excitement of the rescue, I'm sure there's a lot of people getting much-needed rest last evening.

LIN: I was talking with our correspondent on the scene, Jeff Flock, at about 3:00 yesterday morning. And he was -- he just hit it right on the head. He said this was a beautiful bookend to such a tough year for Somerset County. I mean, first, what, almost 11 months ago, you had the crash of Flight 93 there, and it seemed almost good and just to see a beautiful ending to this story. But it almost seems like too much tension for any county to deserve ever in a lifetime.

COBER: Well, I think you're right. But our community is a very resilient community. It's a group of tough people. We're still dealing with the Flight 93 crash and the victims' families. And just now, preparing a first anniversary celebration -- not celebration, excuse me, but a memorial service. And then to deal with this situation, everybody just rolled their sleeves up and did what needed to be done. We can't thank our rescue workers and the state officials who came in here, really worked hard for the last three and a half days. And as you know, we had a great outcome in our plight.

LIN: And people kept talking last night about a certain mind-set in mining country. You know that danger goes with the job and you expect it, and part of that really helps them get through this kind of ordeal. But you know, being a city girl myself, I can't tap into that kind of reserve. Can you tell me what that's all about? What is that mind-set?

COBER: Well, you know, miners -- I've never been a miner myself, but knowing many miners, they strap their boots on and they put on their equipment. They know the dangers. Their families are aware of it. And that's how they've chosen to earn their living, much that as a former that's working the fields. And really, it's just a labor of love. It's something that they do. They know what they're up against, and they do it every day and they do it well.

I think the safety training that these gentlemen had to have had obviously has paid off. They had their wits about themselves to find higher ground. They knew how to conserve their battery power on their lights. They knew how to huddle together. I mean, I think their safety training and preparedness and obviously the experience that these gentlemen had aided in them coming out alive, as well as the people above ground that got all the equipment together. And you know, they put together this rescue mission, right from the state, the federal government right on down. They really worked -- it was a real team effort to make this happen.

LIN: Right. And did it in a matter of hours. So, how are you all going to be celebrating out there in the days and weeks to come?

COBER: Well, we haven't even had time to think about that. I'm sure there is a lot of family jubilation. There was very, you know, a lot of emotion, a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety, and now I'm sure a lot of celebration and relief. So I'm sure everybody's thanking God today. And we'll just have to take it each day as it goes, get these men healthy. And sounds like six of the nine are doing very well, and I'm sure the other three will be on their feet in no time, and we'll have plenty of time to celebrate here in the near future.

LIN: You bet. We'll be looking forward and looking forward as well to the anniversary that you'll be marking out there in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I'll be up there covering that, as well, so I look forward to meeting you, Brad Cober. Thanks so much for joining us.

COBER: All right. Thank you, Carol.

LIN: Congratulations on a job well done out there.

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