Just pump out the water from the entrance till safe access to the rescue location was secured? If 60,000,000 gallons of water ( http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20020727timelinereg8p8.asp ) was the problem, I can’t understand why eight 12 inch Godwin Trash pumps, 4 runs of 2 each in tandem ( http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/newsletters/sednl265/Godwin%20Trash%20Pump%20Handles%20Flows%20to%206000%20gpm.htm ) could’nt restore the mine to previous dry condition in 42 hours. Each of these pumps can do 6000 gpm for 200 feet.
Plus the uncertainty of the refuge location wouldn’t have been an issue.
Any thoughts ?