Third hole to be drilled to trapped miners

HUNTINGTON, Utah, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Rescuers trying to reach six coal miners trapped deep below a Utah mountain will drill a third bore hole in hopes of finding them, officials said Sunday.

Two initial holes produced no sign of the men, alive or dead, although a worker's tool bag, a chain and other items were seen, said Richard Stickler, director of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. However, the camera placed down one of hole was only able to provide images about 15 feet away and efforts were underway to provide more light, Stickler said during a news conference aired live on CNN.

The goal of the third hole to be drilled is the same as that of the first two: make contact with the six miners trapped since Monday.

Mine co-owner Bob Murray said it was possible the men are alive but expressed his ongoing frustration that efforts to tunnel to them has been hampered by ongoing slippage underground. "These are the most difficult conditions I've ever seen in my 50 years of mining," Murray said, adding company and federal officials have "the right plan, a good plan and we're still on that plan."