The scene was emotional in the small West Virginia town of Tallmansville yesterday as officials announced that only one man had survived Tuesday's explosion at the Sago Mine.

Rescuers found one body in the mine before midnight, and 12 others hours later, along with the sole survivor, huddled together behind a barrier they had constructed to block the deadly carbon monoxide gas, which allegedly killed the victims.

The only survivor, Randal McCloy, 27, was the youngest of the miners. He was rushed to the hospital and listed in critical condition at press time.

"Despite the overwhelming grief the community feels," Gov. Joe Manchin told reporters, "let's remember we do have one miracle, and we're thankful for that."

Originally, when initial reports came from rescuers, the townspeople were told that 12 miners were alive and that only one was dead. This "miscommunication," as Manchin called it, was remedied a few hours later when final reports came in that 12 had died.

But, despite that fact, the victims' families are in an outrage. Some are saying that officials were playing with their emotions.

Psychiatrist Russ Ricci, M.D., says that anger is a normal part of the emotional reactions we all have after losing a loved one.

"But, in a work-related death such as a mine accident, that anger usually gets turned to rage and is aimed at the employer," adds Ricci, a member of Revolution Health Group's Medical Advisory Board. "That is when people start asking 'How could they do this to my husband?' "

Warning Signs, Past Accidents

Since October, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued 50 citations to the mine, with the latest one from Dec. 21 including citations for accumulation of combustible materials like coal dust and loose coal.

This incident comes four years after nine coal miners were rescued from a flooded Pennsylvania mine. And the explosion is the state's deadliest mining accident since November 1968, when 78 men - including Manchin's uncle - died in a mine blast.

The Tallmansville explosion happened as the mine was reopening after having been closed for the holidays.

What Are The Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon monoxide, at high levels, can kill a person in minutes. It is what's produced when any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned.

At moderate to high levels, carbon monoxide causes severe headaches, dizziness, mentally confusion, nausea or fainting. If exposed, individuals could even die if these levels persist for a long time.

Low levels of carbon monoxide can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea and mild headaches - and may have long-term effects on health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses, subjects may not think carbon monoxide poisoning could be the cause of their sickness. So, health experts say, it is important to watch for symptoms.

Related News:
CO exposure dangerous for the heart
Tips for avoiding winter home injury
'Canary Database' warns of emerging diseases

© 2006 MyDNA.com