Reporter Remembers Dramatic Mine Rescue - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Ten years ago, a drama unfolded in the hills near Somerset, Pennsylvania.

Miners working at the Quecreek Mine accidentally breached an adjoining abandoned mine, sending forth a flood of water that trapped them for a 77-hour ordeal.  Rescue workers devised a plan, and worked to locate and rescue the trapped men.  Long-time WTRF-7 reporter Frank O'Brien remembers that night.

"There are a few times that I really miss being in the news," O'Brien said.  "And the feeling that we got when we actually was at the Quecreek mine rescue, and when those nine people came out -- that's just one of those feelings you can't describe, and truly I do miss that."

On Saturday, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the rescue, officials will cut the ribbon to open a new visitors center at the site.  Officials from the Mine Safety and Health Administration plan on a celebration ceremony at 11:00 A.M., and will cut the ribbon at the new visitors center at 1:00 P.M.  The new visitors center is at the Quecreek Mine rescue site.