Awwal 20, 1432 / April 24, 2011, SPA -- An Idaho miner trapped underground nine days ago most likely was buried when the collapse occurred and is presumed to be dead, mining company officials said Sunday, according to AP. Hecla Mining Company President Phil Baker said that after days of an around-the-clock rescue effort, officials now believe 53-year-old Larry Marek did not survive the collapse inside the Lucky Friday Mine on April 15. «We now believe that Larry was under the fall of ground when it occurred,» Baker said in a video posted Sunday on Hecla's website. Marek and his brother, Mike, had just finished watering down blasted-out rock and ore in the mine when the ceiling collapsed in the 6,150-foot deep tunnel. Mike Marek escaped unharmed.
