PRINTER'S NO. 402
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
74
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY TOBASH, FEBRUARY 8, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 8, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Porter Tunnel Mine
Disaster on March 1, 2017.
WHEREAS, On March 1, 1977, the Porter Tunnel Mine of the
Kocher Coal Company was flooded by millions of gallons of water;
and
WHEREAS, At approximately 11:00 a.m. a thud was heard and one
minute later a funnel shaped tornado of water flowed into the
West Skidmore South Dip conveyor gangway section of the Porter
Tunnel Mine; and
WHEREAS, The rush of water came from an abandoned water-
filled mine site that had been breached; and
WHEREAS, Six miners in the effected section of the mine were
able to escape and the other 65 miners working in other sections
of the mine traveled both the intake and return air escapeways
to reach the surface; and
WHEREAS, The tragic event, which came to be known as the
Porter Tunnel Mine Disaster, killed nine men and left one
entrapped, who was rescued six days later; and
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