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Fallen miners’ families describe two great men

Family photos from Coal Valley News  Gary P. Hensley, 46, of Chapmanville, and Eric D. Legg, 48, of Twilight, were killed at Patriot Coal’s Brody No. 1 Mine in Wharton after an apparent roof collapse.
Family photos from Coal Valley News
Gary P. Hensley, 46, of Chapmanville, and Eric D. Legg, 48, of Twilight, were killed at Patriot Coal’s Brody No. 1 Mine in Wharton after an apparent roof collapse.

MADISON, W.Va. — A person who displays courage and the will for self-sacrifice is described as a hero, and that is exactly the description given by the families of two miners killed Monday evening in a tragic mining accident.

Gary P. Hensley, 46, of Chapmanville, and Eric D. Legg, 48, of Twilight, were killed at Patriot Coal’s Brody No. 1 Mine in Wharton after an apparent roof collapse.

Both men’s families spoke to the Coal Valley News in an exclusive interview Tuesday afternoon.

“My dad and the other miner were special men,” said Jessica Legg, daughter of Eric Legg. “It takes a special kind of man to go to work in an underground coal mine. They were both heroes.”

Gary Hensley’s son, Caleb, agrees.

“My father was a great man,” Caleb said. “He was always very positive and had a happy outlook on life. He taught me to be strong and keep my chin up, even when facing tough situations. He always said, ‘Do the best you can with what you have.’”

Jessica was especially sad when she explained her father’s plans for the coming week.

“He was planning on getting married next Saturday,” she said…

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