Efforts to rescue trapped miner continue

Hecla Mining officials said Sunday morning that efforts are continuing to rescue a trapped miner at the Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho. Larry “Pete” Marek, 53, was trapped by debris when part of the mine’s ceiling collapsed in his work area at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Company officials have not been able to contact him. Family members declined to comment in a statement released by Hecla. Marek has more than 30 years of mining experience. He has worked for Hecla for 12 years. Rescue efforts are continuing around the clock in two, 12-hour shifts, company officials said. As of 11 a.m. today, crews had advanced 32 feet in removing fallen debris. Remote-controlled digging equipment ordered from the East Coast had arrived at the mine. It was being taken apart so it could be taken down the mine’s shaft to the rescue site.