Funeral Held For Rescue Worker Killed Trying To Reach Trapped Miners

Tuesday, August 21st 2007, 9:28 pm

By: News On 6

HUNTINGTON, Utah (AP) _ A man who died while trying to rescue his cousin and five other men trapped in a coal mine was remembered as a hero on Tuesday as mourners gathered for a service at a campsite in the shadow of the mountain.

Dale ``Bird'' Black, 48, died Thursday along with two other men when a second, deadly cave-in rocked the mountain and shot coal and debris into a deep tunnel where the men were working.

Family members have said Black wasn't even supposed to be in the mine, having been promoted the day before to a job outside. But he had devoted himself to 12-hour shifts to try to free the trapped miners, including his cousin, Kerry Allred.

``In today's world we use the word 'hero' rather loosely,'' said friend Allen Childs. ``There are many, many times when it is very appropriate.''

Childs said his friend lived ``life on steroids,'' driving fast in a four-wheeler, playing golf and ``combat volleyball,'' as well as hunting and fishing. Once, Black arrived at a golf course with only half a haircut in order not to miss a tee time. He could fix anything with wire and tape, Childs said.

Black's four-wheeler, hunting gear, golf clubs and trophies were on display for the service held where the mine's workers often held picnics and coal trucks rumbled along on a nearby canyon road.

The service was attended by more than 1,000 people, including Gov. Jon Huntsman and Bob Murray, the co-owner of the Crandall Canyon Mine.

Murray and the mine practices have been criticized since the initial Aug. 6 collapse trapped the six miners. But Black's daughter, Ashley Pruitt, said during the service that ``life is too short to be mad at people.''

Black's wife said before the service that her husband, a father of two, relished the mountains and desert, and his time underground.

``I'd always say, 'I don't want my son to grow up to be a coal miner,' and he'd say, 'Why? I'm proud of what I do,''' said Wendy Black.

Also killed in Thursday's cave-in were Brandon Kimber, 29, and Gary Jensen, 53. Six other men were injured in the collapse. Underground rescue efforts were then suspended indefinitely.

Black, whose funeral was the first held of the three, was buried at nearby Huntington City Cemetery. Services for Jensen are planned Wednesday.

A fifth hole more than 2,000 feet deep was being drilled into the mine to see if there was any indication the six men have survived. The drill steel was expected to break through into the mine Wednesday.