SOMERSET, Pa. — Ten years after the nine miners who were rescued in Somerset County, they came face to face with the people who saved their lives.
Miner Thomas Foy was a celebrity at the Quecreek Mine rescue site on Thursday. He was signing autographs, shaking hands and taking pictures.
“We don't really like to talk about it because it brings back too many memories, and I just want to try to forget about it. You know what I'm saying?" Foy told Channel 11.
Foy was one of nine miners who were trapped at the Quecreek Mine in 2002. The entire nation was riveted by the massive rescue effort.
"I can tell you the story from beginning until the end. I don’t get too emotional until the part when I’m telling my wife and kids goodbye,” said miner Blaine Mayhugh.
Mayhugh and the other miners wrote goodbye letters to their families because they never thought they would make it out alive. After 77 hours underground, every single miner was brought to the surface.
"To be one of the point people and making the critical decisions that first night and then waiting and to find out that all nine are alive and that we saved them … pretty emotional," said Joseph Sbaffoni, who directed the rescue effort.