Show Stay Out and Stay Alive Press Release Two young men in separate incidents incidents incidents inci inci- dents on the same day have been killed in abandoned mines in Utah and Colorado Last June mines in Idaho and Nevada also claimed lives Falling FaIling mine timbers killed Jeremiah Etherington 18 18 on Saturday Jan 13 while he was exploring a mine near Stockton Utah In Grand Junction Colorado a year 20 old man entered a mine with a vandalized closure closure closure clo clo- sure and died from mine gas poison poison- ing mg Mine openings may seem safe to explore but arc are dangerous and can contain contain contain con con- tain unstable soil unsafe roofs and ladders ladders lad lad- adders ders deadly gases poisonous snake and dangerous explosives The states' states abandoned mine reclamation reclamation reca- reca mation programs are closing old mines as fast as we can said Mary Ann Wright director for the Utah abandoned abandoned abandoned aban aban- mine program But with over mine openings estimated for Utah and Colorado citizens need to be aware of the dangers and take responsibility responsibility responsibility to stay out Vandalism of some of the closures also leaves people open to dangers Dealing with vandalism continues tobe tobe to tobe be the most frustrating part of our job said Dave Bucknam administrator of the Colorado mine safety program Protective closures or warnings around abandoned mine hazards are placed placed there to remind visitors to enjoy the outdoors but play it safe by keeping out of abandoned mines Vandalism to these closures threatens lives Utah and Colorado are working together to get the word out about abandoned mines Education programs programs programs pro pro- grams in both states target school children children chil- chil dren with information about geology mining history and abandoned mine dangers Each year fourth graders in Utah are provided a workbook workbook workbook work work- book which details the hazards associated associated associated with abandoned mines A video Abandoned Mines Stay Out and Stay Alive has also been sent to each fourth grade classroom y f |