Rescue team could drill second tunnel

Rescue workers in Mullan, Idaho, are considering drilling a second tunnel as part of their efforts to reach a man trapped in the Lucky Friday Mine since a tunnel collapsed April 15.

Hecla Mining company already is drilling through a 220-foot rock wall in hopes of reaching Larry “Pete” Marek. So far, the company has made it about 101 feet into the rock.

Company officials said Thursday that they were considering trying to reach Marek from another angle as well, drilling into a 182-foot rock wall. However, they had not started that work by late Thursday afternoon because they didn’t want to interfere with stability monitoring.

A third 2-inch-diameter drill hole has advanced 155 feet and is near the first 180-foot drill hole completed Tuesday. The drill holes bring fresh air to the area and help provide information about the size of the space, or void, in the rockfall where Marek was last seen.

The company expects to drill additional holes. A 46-foot hole drilled through the rubble pile was also completed Tuesday. Workers first tried to rescue Marek by clearing the debris from the collapsed area, but unstable conditions forced them to abandon the effort.