This mining accident happened in March 1924 near the town of Castle Gate in the state of Utah, about 90 miles or 140 km from Salt Lake City. All 171 men working below ground were killed, the leader of a rescue crew was also killed after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes while attempting to reach those trapped deep below ground.
A series of three explosions ripped through the mine, which was believed to have been caused when coal dust present in the mine was not correctly damped down by the previous shift. The first blast happened sometime between 8.00am and 8.15 at a distance of about 7,000 feet from the mines entrance. An investigation into gas in a chamber was halted when a miners lamp went out, on attempting to relight the lamp the gas was ignited, that together with the coal dust set off a massive explosion.
Read Full Article »
