Joy turns to grief in West Virginia

Just before midnight tonight, the bells at Sago Baptist Church in West Virginia pealed the news that 12 missing coal miners had been found alive. Or so it was thought. And so news organizations reported around the world.

Just before midnight tonight, the bells at Sago Baptist Church in West Virginia pealed the news that 12 missing coal miners had been found alive.

Or so it was thought.

And so news organizations reported around the world.

Then, very early on Wednesday, family members learned that of the 12 miners initially thought to have survived, only one was still alive.

More than three hours after West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin announced that 12 miners had survived, mine officials had to advise 11 families tghat their loved ones were actually dead.

The sole survivor, Randal McCloy, is in hospital.

International Coal Group Chief Executive Officer Ben Hatfield told the families that there had been a problem with communication.

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