Brookwood to Remember Coal Miners Killed in 2001 Disaster
Underground coal mining is one of the most dangerous occupations there is. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 20 coal miners die annually. That is the most in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry.
24 years ago, that number jumped up dramatically with one explosion at the then Jim Walter Resources Blue Creek Mine No. 5 in Brookwood. 42 miners died that year, 13 of them on September 23, 2001, at that close-knit town of slightly more than 2,500 residents.
Two separate explosions occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. in Section 4 of the No. 5 mine. That event, 2,000 feet underground, grabbed the attention of the entire nation just two weeks after the 9-11 terror attacks. It was the deadliest mine disaster in 17 years.
A lengthy investigation into the cause of the two blasts found a roof collapse near a battery charger and ignited highly flammable methane gas. 32 miners were working underground that Sunday afternoon.
The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 established the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants Program. It was named in remembrance of the 13 men who died in the Brookwood disaster and others in an explosion at Wolf Run Mining Company’s Sago Mine in Tallmansville, West Virginia in 2006.
Next Tuesday, Brookwood will remember those miners with the annual memorial service at the Miner's Memorial Monument at West Brookwood Church, located at 12882 Lock 17 Road.
Pre-service music will begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by the service itself. Special guest singers will be Brother Kenn Spencer & Promised Land. The service is free and open to the public.
Those who will be remembered next Tuesday:
- Gaston Adams, LW Machine Operator
- Raymond Ashworth, Belt Repairman
- Nelson Banks, Electrician I/S
- David Blevins, Outby Foreman
- Clarence “Bit” Boyd, Shearer Operator
- Wendell Johnson, Belt Repairman
- John Knox, U/G Motorman
- Dennis Mobley, Electrician I/S
- Charles Nail, Electrician I/S
- Joe Riggs, Precision Mason
- Charles Smith, General Labor I/S
- Joe Sorah, Belt Repairman
- Terry Stewart, General Labor I/S
The shaft where the incident occurred was closed in 2006.
Top Stories from the Tuscaloosa Thread (9/8 - 9/15)
Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)