Quecreek Miracle Remembered 7 Years Later

Visitors gathered on Saturday to remember the seventh anniversary of the Miracle at Quecreek Mine.

In July 2002, nine miners were trapped when an abandoned mine flooded. They were rescued 77 hours later.

"It's always a special time when you come here. Anyone who was involved through that ordeal really knew what we were up against, and to have the outcome that we did is just amazing," said Joe Sbaffoni, of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Now an effort is under way to create a permanent visitors' center.

"Quecreek started a new genre in mine rescue and, that's something very important to remember," said Bill Arnold of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation.

Leaders hope to have the visitors' center completed by next year.