Families in mine tragedy get aid
HUNTINGTON, Utah -- More than $300,000 has been donated to the families of nine people killed at the Crandall Canyon mine, the mayor said.
The generosity includes $100,000 from a former mine executive, Peter Green, Mayor Hilary Gordon said.
"Every single penny that's going in is going to the families," she said.
Gordon established the Zions Bank accounts after money started arriving at City Hall in the days after the Aug. 6 collapse, which trapped six miners, 1,500 feet below ground. Their bodies have not been recovered.
During a rescue effort, two miners and a federal inspector died in another cave-in Aug. 16.
Each of the nine families has received at least $15,000 so far, including $5,000 grants from Zions Bank, Gordon said.
A group of anonymous donors has contributed about $60,000 and others have chipped in $5 or $10, the mayor said.
Other funds to benefit the Crandall Canyon families have been established at Wells Fargo bank and local credit unions.
Gordon said she was uncertain about the number of funds but money continues to pour into the city's account, most recently from two children who collected $1,000 in jars. The city plans to keep disbursing money to families in equal amounts.
"People have been extremely generous," Gordon said.
Emery High School senior Wyatt Jensen organized a concert and auction Aug. 15 that raised $17,500. Teams that play Emery High during the fall sports season have donated money.
At Canyon View Junior High, there will be a benefit concert Saturday with American Idol finalist Carmen Rasmussen and country-music star Collin Raye, and an appearance by former Utah Jazz star Karl Malone. The event will end with fireworks.
More than 200 people gathered Thursday at Cleveland City Park in Emery County to remember Kerry Allred, 58, one of the miners who was killed.
"He always had a kiss and a hug for you," cousin Chris Allred said later, also recalling his daily honk as he drove past her house.
"I don't get that anymore," she said.
