In the wake of the latest mine tragedy in Logan County , West Virginia University continues to reach out to the families of the lost miners.

Members of the WVU community can express their support and sympathy for the families of Don I. Bragg and ElleryElvisHatfield, who died in Aracoma Coal’s Alma No. 1 mine in Melville, as well as the 12 deceased Sago miners at http://www.wvu.edu/minedisasters/ .

The outpouring has been incredible, said Student Health Advisory Board President Lisa Costello, noting some 160 messages have been left at the site.

People can also sign a banner for the families and a large card for lone Sago Mine survivor Randal McCloy Jr., who is in fair condition at WVU Hospitals. These items are being circulated across campus.

In the latest disaster, Bragg and Hatfield became separated from their crew Thursday evening (Jan. 19) after a conveyor belt caught fire deep inside the Alma No. 1 mine. Their deaths come just three weeks after the Jan. 2 Sago Mine accident in Tallmansville, bringing the number of West Virginia miners killed on the job this month to 14.

Other WVU spring eventsfood and blood drives, educational forum, memorial tree plantingto honor the Sago and Alma miners are being planned.

For more information, contact Costello at 304-670-1030 or lisa.costello@mail.wvu.edu .

The University’s Center for Civic Engagement is coordinating WVU ’s response to the mine disasters. To report any efforts to assist the miners’families, contact Franchesca Nestor at franchesca.nestor@mail.wvu.edu or Kim Colebank at kimberly.colebank@mail.wvu.edu , or call the Center for Civic Engagement at 304-293-8761.