Randal McCloy, the sole survivor of last week’s Sago Mine accident, remained in critical but stablecondition Thursday morning at West Virginia University Hospitals.

Dr. Larry Roberts, director of the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center at WVU Hospitals, reported that McCloy’s overall condition remains essentially unchanged. He is still in a coma.

Roberts performed two surgical procedures on Wednesday to lessen McCloy’s discomfort and reduce the risk of infection.

A tracheostomyan opening in the neckwas made to allow the placement of a shorter breathing tube and the removal of the longer breathing tube that has been in his mouth and throat since his admission to the hospital.

McCloy’s lung functions continue to improve.

Roberts also placed a feeding tube into McCloy’s stomacha gastrostomy tubeand removed the tube that had been delivering nutrition through his nose and down his throat.

Both procedures are standard practice for patients at this stage of intensive care.