Crandall Canyon miner profiles

Crandall Canyon miner profilesSalt Lake Tribune - United StatesSeptember 30, 2007

SIX WHO WERE TRAPPED

KERRY ALLRED
A 58-year-old Cleveland, Utah, native who has worked in the mines for about 25 years. The father of three enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and tinkering with automobiles.

DON ERICKSON
A Helper resident who worked for 12 years as a wrecker driver and manager for Helper Auto Sales before seeking better benefits. He enjoyed hunting, Jeeps and campfire cooking.

LUIS HERNANDEZA
23-year-old immigrant from the town of Costa Rica in Sinaloa, Mexico. He has worked at Crandall Canyon since early this summer and has a 1-year-old daughter.

JUAN CARLOS PAYAN
A 22-year-old immigrant from the town of Pericos in Sinaloa, Mexico. He is described as a quiet, hard-working miner who simply earned his wage and returned home each night.

BRANDON PHILLIPS
A 24-year-old Orangeville native who had worked at the Crandall Canyon mine for just three weeks. His uncle was among 27 miners who died in the Wilberg mine fire in 1984.

MANUEL "MANNY" SANCHEZ
A veteran miner and father of four from Price. He earned the respect through his self-deprecating humor and ability to "keep things light" under duress.

RESCUERS WHO DIED AUG. 16

DALE RAY BLACK
A 48-year-old miner from Huntington, the man friends called "Bird" is remembered as an outdoorsman and section boss who spent 11 days in the rescue effort.

BRANDON KIMBER
A 29-year-old miner from Price who loved his job, Kimber leaves 4-year-old twin boys and a daughter, 5.

GARY JENSEN
An accident investigator for MSHA, "Gibb," 53, worked in mining for 34 years, including as safety manager at the Sufco Mine in Salina Canyon.