Lone mine survivor arrives in Pittsburgh for treatment

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06005/633269.stm

The lone survivor of the Sago Mine disaster was transferred to a Pittsburgh hospital today for more intensive oxygen treatment after a doctor expressed concern the patient wasn't responding as quickly as expected.

Randal McCloy Jr. arrived at 5 p.m. at Allegheny General Hospital along with his wife Anna after being transferred from West Virginia University Hospital for treatment.

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McCloy, 26, remained in critical condition and was struggling with the effects of oxygen deprivation to his vital organs, including his brain, Dr. John Prescott told reporters at West Virginia University's Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Prescott said McCloy's coma was not medically induced and that drugs initially used to sedate him were wearing off, but "he is not waking up as we had hoped he would do."

Hope this young man doesn't turn out like the Schiavo case.

... he's gonna have some PTSD and Survivor's Guilt like no one's ever seen.
Not to mention - I'm sure - a little spite from a few of the other miners' families...

What a horrible situation, for everyone involved. :(

very sad.

just said that his chances for a complete recovery are about 10%. It is more likely he will have brain damage.

My parents both had their heart surgeries there. It's one of the best in the country for cardio-pulmonary surgeries and such. Believe me, my mother looked at the stats. She was going to go to Johns Hopkins to have her surgery, but stayed in Pittsburgh because AGH was just as good, if not better. If anyone can bring this guy around, it's them!

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N05197239.htm

BUCKHANNON, W. Va., Jan 5 (Reuters) - The sole survivor of a mine disaster that killed 12 men was in a coma on Thursday as residents of the tight-knit West Virginia community struggled to understand the latest tragedy in a dangerous profession.

Doctors feared that Randal McCloy, the only survivor among 13 miners trapped underground for 42 hours after an explosion on Monday morning at the Sago mine in Tallmansville, could suffer brain damage as a result of his ordeal.