Search continues for 3 missing in West Virginia mine; 1 person emerges

CLEAR CREEK, WVa. — The search is on for three people missing in a West Virginia coal mine.

Rescue workers were initially looking for four people, but one emerged.

Police said the closed mines in the economically hard-hit state are a target for those looking for copper wire.

The state office of miner's health, safety, and training said it began assisting the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office in the search on Sunday after an ATV the four were believed to be riding was found near the mine entrance.

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The one who managed to escape told rescue workers the others were in a pocket of good air, but it's about 1,000 feet deeper than rescuers have gone so far.

A West Virginia National Guard team is assisting in the search.

The Rock House Powellton Mine has been offline for two years.

Cox Media Group