Personal injury news

Coal-mining disaster survivor suffers brain injury

As the last two victims of West Virginia’s worst coal-mining disaster for 35 years were laid to rest, the sole survivor remains in hospital with brain injuries.

Doctors at Ruby Memorial Hospital said that Randall McCloy Jr was still in a coma and suffering from a fever of undetermined origin. The 26-year-old was the only man to be rescued alive after a group of 13 miners became trapped following an explosion on January 2nd 2006.

The men remained underground for 41 hours before rescuers finally reached them, discovering that McCloy was the only one left alive and suffering from a brain injury. Friends and relatives were waiting on the surface for news of their loved ones, and for reasons so far unexplained, they were incorrectly told that all the miners were safe.

Celebrations broke out across the deeply religious town but were soon curtailed when the horrible truth was revealed. Heartbroken families of the miners have since threatened to make compensation claims against the authorities responsible for giving out the wrong information. Calls have also been made to review the safety of the coal-mining industry, which has seen a number of work accidents in recent times.

The twelve dead men were buried amid emotional scenes as thousands of mourners, including politicians and celebrities, attended the funerals. Prayers were said for Randall McCloy who still lay in hospital with his brain injury under constant monitoring.

Doctor Julian Bailes, a neurosurgeon at the Ruby Memorial Hospital, said that recovery for the injured miner could be a lengthy process. “I think we have no clear clue of the extent of his injury or the time of his recovery.

“But it is very important to us that he has a lot of brain activity.” Bailes added.