John S. Kramer, 34, miner, died attempting to save Ronald J. Moore, 44, miner, from suffocation, Dora, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1966. In a coal mine 4,700 feet from the entrance, Kramer, Moore, C. Hilton Neiswonger, and four other men were working in a room 175 feet long and 25 feet wide. The room, which was securely timbered, was only 30 inches high, requiring them to work on their hands and knees. Kramer, at the end of the room opposite the mine passageway, was operating a coal-cutting machine. The others were at scattered points, Neiswonger and two of the men being in an air duct formed by a heavy curtain three feet from one side of the room. The cutting machine broke through into an abandoned section of the mine, and accumulated blackdanp entered the room. Kramer stopped the machine and, shouting repeatedly for everyone to get out, crawled to the passageway. Two of the other men followed. Kramer then asked where Moore was, turned, and crawled 50 feet into the duct. One of the other men followed, taking with him a safety lamp. Telling the man to wait, Kramer continued crawling and met Neiswonger. They talked briefly, and Neiswonger made his way to the man nearer the passage. He then shouted to Kramer. Saying he was worried about Kramer, Neiswonger turned and crawled farther into the duct. The man followed for 10 feet, but his lamp then went out. Feeling nauseated, he moved toward the passage. He and the other miner called to the men but received no reply. The two men left and summoned help. Men with breathing apparatus entered the room. Kramer was found with Moore 15 feet from the air duct, in which Neiswonger and the other two men were found. All were dead.
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