Sunshine Mine Disaster May 1972
In the morning of May 2, 1972, a fire broke out in the Sunshine Mine. According to the US Mine Rescue Association, 91 workers died from smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning; 83 men were rescued, 81 on May 2 and two on May 9. The mine was closed for seven months after the fire, which was one of the worst mining disasters in American history and is the worst disaster in Idaho's history. - Wikipedia
The following "Spokesman Review" clippings saved by Donnie Jones and shared by Kay Turley tell the story -
Aerial view of Mine
Anxious Families Wait
Families Waiting
Father Martin Huges condoles
Efforts Pressed to Enter Mine
Cage Readied for Shaft Trip
Big Fan Installed
Another Grim Day, May 7th
A week later -
Tom Wilkinson leaps from cage
Happy Mine Walk
Happiness is - Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Flory
Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Flory
Flory Family Reunion
Gov. Cecil Andrus talks to Flory and Wilkinson families
Attorney General Anthony Park readies invetigation
Sunshine Foreman Robert Bush dies in tragedy
Casualties from marker at Kellogg Idaho at historical sites
See also Sunshine Mine Fire, US Mine Rescue Assoc. for history and more clippings.
Virtual cemetery at findagrave (includes 43 graves)
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