BOISE, Idaho — Workers at a northern Idaho silver mine have recovered the body of a miner who was trapped when a tunnel collapsed nine days ago, the mine’s operator said Sunday.
The body of Larry Marek, 53, was discovered Sunday afternoon, Hecla Mining Co. said in a news release.
“Words cannot express the deep sorrow we feel at the tragic loss of our friend, colleague and 30-year veteran of the mining industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and friends,” the statement said.
The announcement follows more than a week of efforts to reach Marek, who was caught in the cave-in more than a mile underground. By Sunday, officials had determined he could not have survived.
“Based on crew observations of the area where the fall of ground occurred and crew- member experience in similar situations, we believe Larry is deceased,” company spokeswoman Stefany Bales said earlier Sunday as she announced that the rescue mission had become a recovery operation.
Marek’s family had been told of the change late Saturday. The family has not spoken with reporters since the cave-in, and they asked for privacy in the statement announcing that Marek’s body had been found.
Marek and his brother, Mike, had just finished watering down blasted-out rock and ore in the mine when the ceiling collapsed in the 6,150-foot deep tunnel. Mike Marek escaped unharmed.
