Over 50 people safe after mine car failure at Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

Geri Gibbons, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·1 min read

SCRANTON — About 55 people were rescued from a mine Monday afternoon, after getting stuck several hundred feet below the surface during a Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, county communications director Pat McKenna said.

McKenna said there was mechanical issue with the rail car, which brought it to a halt and made it necessary to bring tour participants up to the surface in groups of three or four, which took about two hours.

He emphasized ventilation and lighting continued to operate normally, and no one had been in any danger.

Participants were brought up using escape capsules, which were at the ready for such an event, he said.

"No one was injured," he said. "Everyone was safe the entire time."

McKenna said the exhibit is manned by professional miners who are prepared for such a problem and acted immediately and efficiently.

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, located in McDade Park, will be closed to the public pending repairs, McKenna said.

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