A CRUEL MISCOMMUNICATION

Late last night, many in the coal mining community of Tallmansville, West Virginia were celebrating. Church bells began pealing in jubilation, as word spread --- and Governor Joe Manchin announced --- that 12 of the 13 trapped miners were alive. Only hours later, that celebration turned to deep sorrow and anger, when it was officially announced that 12 miners had actually perished with the only survivor barely clinging to life in hospital.

Your print newspaper may actually lead with the story that 12 had survived, as the announcement of their deaths was not released until approximately 3:00 AM...long after they had gone to press.

Apparantly the "miscommunication" came "...after people overheard cell phone calls, (Manchin) said. In reality, rescuers had only confirmed finding 12 miners and were checking their vital signs. But what leaked out to anxious family members was that 12 were found alive.

An extremely cruel twist of fate, and our hearts go out to all the families and friends.