Larry Marek, 53, died at the Lucky Friday Mine in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District in northern Idaho, US, after a fall of ground on Friday, April 15, left him trapped. Hecla Mining Company recovered his body on Sunday, April 24.
The fall of ground occurred in a contained section of the underground silver, lead and zinc mine, 6,150ft (1.87km) below the surface. The stope—the open space after ore removal—is 152ft (46m) long and the cave-in was approximately 75ft (23m) from the entrance of the stope.
Rescue crews used drill and blast to excavate a 220ft (67m) tunnel to the area of the collapse installing spiling to prevent further collapses.
Initial efforts to dig through the debris were called off after 35ft (10.7m) due to dangerous conditions, leaving a 40ft (12m) section. Two-inch in diameter probes were drilled into this section, and one located a void. Rescue crews pumped compressed air through the probe holes, as well as inserting small cameras.
By Saturday, a week after the collapse, the tunnel had not located Marek in the rubble and the rescue mission changed into a recovery operation. Hecla announced on Easter Sunday that the body had been located.
Approximately 50 people were working underground at the time of the collapse. Marek and his brother, Mike Marek, were working in the area of the fall. Mike Marek was working on the east end of the stope and was safe, while Larry, was working close to the face in the west-end of the stope. The reason for the collapse is unknown and investigations will be carried out.
