MULLAN, Idaho -- Seven miners were rescued Wednesday night after an accident in the Lucky Friday Mine in northern Idaho.
The miners were more than one mile underground when there was a rock burst, which happens when rock spontaneously fractures. The accident happened around 7:40 p.m.
The seven miners were working to install a liner that protects them from rock bursts. Melanie Hennessey, a spokeswoman for Hecla Mining Company, says even though the project was not done she believes the liner helped reduce the impact of last night's rock burst.
After the burst, miners from other areas in the mine rushed to help get the injured miners above ground. Hennessey says the most serious injuries were a broken arm and pelvis. The injured miners were taken to the hospital for treatment. Three of the miners stayed in the hospital overnight for observation.
"Once we have cared for those people then we will turn our attention to the investigation and better understanding of what occurred and what caused the rock burst," said Hennessey.
Hennessey says there had been no recent blasting in the mine.
At the time of the accident a 2.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Mullan, the town where the mine is located.
Lucky Friday mine is now closed. Hecla Mining Company says it will stay that way until they are sure it is safe for the miners to go back to work.
Lucky Friday mine is the same mine in which Larry Marek, 53, became trapped and died in April. It took nine days to recover his body. Just last month, Brandon Gray, 26, died when he was trapped in falling rock.
