Hurricane Creek Mine Disaster - Disaster Aftermath

Disaster Aftermath

The bodies were taken to a grade school gymnasium in Hyden. Many bodies had been so damaged in the blast that they could only be identified by social security numbers written on their belts. Most of the miners came from Clay and Leslie County counties, two of the poorest in the state, and the New York Times described their economy at the time by saying "there is little industry but coal". In an interview with correspondent, Bill Walker of CBS News, the foreman's widow was asked if she held the Finleys responsible for killing her husband. Knowing her answer would require further testimony and possible endangerment, she said;"no" and paused, then stated,'"No more than if they'd held a gun to his head." This was the first time anyone related to the blast spoke out. Her husband she went on to reveal, had spoken of the mine violations both the owner and federal government had let slide in the name of expediency and jobs.

The House Labor Subcommittee held a week-long inquiry into the disaster in March 1971. Chuck Finley, the mine's owner, appeared only when subpoenaed, and denied any knowledge of the illegal primer cord, including testimony from a mine worker who claimed to have told Finley about the cord a few weeks earlier. Finley also denied claims raised in earlier testimony that he had bribed a mine inspector. He was questioned most harshly by Romano L. Mazzoli of Louisville, who had just begun what would be a long career in the House of Representatives.