Radio ham who survived blast sues mine owner

The ham radio operator who was the lone survivor of January's Sago West Virginia mine disaster and the families of two deceased victims have sued the mine owner and five other companies.

The action was filed by Randal McCloy Jr., KC8VKZ, and his wife Anna; Judy Bennett, widow of miner Alva Bennett and Lily Bennett, widow of miner James Bennett.

All three lawsuits accuse International Coal Group and a subsidiary of shoddy operation of the mine near Buckhannon, and of producing unsafe conditions that led to the January 2nd explosion that killed twelve miners.

The McCloys' action additionally states that Randy has endured great physical pain and suffering, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and extreme mental anguish because of the explosion.

Doctors have been unable to pinpoint why the 27 year old McCloy was the only one who survived the 41 hours it took rescuers to find the crew. He left the mine injured and comatose and spent months in the hospital having been diagnosed as having suffered brain damage from carbon monoxide poisoning. He was released from a rehabilitation hospital in March.

An ad-hoc campaign started by radio hams on the QRZ.com website and joined by many others raised several thousand dollars to assist KC8VKZ during the time of his recovery.

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline, Published news reports

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