[Rockhounds] Mine Rescue at Great Gossan Lead Mine in Virginia

[Drew]

I live in this area, and as said in the video, cell service is pretty
spotty on top of the ground there. These folks were very lucky their cell
phone caught enough signal to get help. I very seldom hear of mine rescues
in the area. Cave rescues are far more common in this area.

The mine in question is most certainly the Iron Ridge Mine, known through
history as Bumbarger Pit, Great Outburst Mine, Huey Pit, and Monarat Mine.
Worked for

"Three female hikers are safe after being rescued Monday night from the old
Iron Ridge mines in Carroll County.

According to the Galax Fire Department, tones were set at 9:25 p.m. Monday
alerting to three missing persons in the 3000 block of Iron Ridge Road. At
that time, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office requested the Galax
Volunteer Fire Department, Pipers Gap Rescue Squad and Baywood Search and
Rescue Squad to provide manpower to search for three missing female hikers.

“The hikers had entered the old abandoned Iron Mines around 6 p.m. and
became unable to get back out. Thankfully, they found a ventilation shift
where they were able to get one bar on a cellphone and call for help,”
according to a spokesman with the Galax Fire Department. “A command post
was established at Midway Baptist Church. Teams were formed, including a
search dog from Galax Police Department.”

The Blacksburg Technical Rescue cave rescue team was requested to respond
as well. Teams began their searches and the hikers were located by 10:13
p.m., alive and well.

“Removing them from the caves took another 45 minutes. All units as well as
the hikers were back at the Command Post by 11:30 p.m. Blacksburg Rescue
was canceled en route,” the Galax Fire Department spokesperson said. “Some
60 Twin County first responders worked seamlessly to affect a positive
outcome to an extremely difficult incident.”

>From local newspaper,
https://www.thecarrollnews.com/news/8034/hikers-rescued-from-iron-ridge-mines
Video newscast from nearby city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFjQnRufOWw