Bill Arnold remembered the night that nine miners became trapped inside the Quecreek Mine underneath his family’s farm in Somerset County.

“The dog was barking and I looked up and saw vehicles parked here and guys walking around with flashlights. I thought there might be a break-in that late at night,” Arnold said.

He soon learned the miners were trapped inside a cold, wet, 40-inch high coal mine 240 feet underground. The wall of another mine collapsed, sending millions of gallons of water plummeting into the Quecreek Mine, sealing the men inside.

“There was an almost instantaneous feeling of an overwhelming sense of urgency that we had to do something or these men might die,” said Arnold.

After hours of digging and several setbacks, rescuers drilled down to create an air shaft and were able to speak with the miners.

“One of the first things we asked was, ‘How many are you?’ The response was, ‘We’re all nine here, we’re all nine fine. We’re just waiting to get out and what took you so long?'” Arnold said.

After 77 hours, crews finished drilling down to create a rescue shaft. Finally, on July 28, 2002, the nine miners were rescued, one by one.

“Each time one of the guys would come to the top of the shaft I would think, ‘That’s awesome, just one more, just one more,'” said Arnold.

Fifteen years later, the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation will commemorate the bravery of those miners and the support of everyone who worked tirelessly to save them.

Events for the 15th anniversary take place all week. There will be a sporting clays fundraiser on Wednesday and guest speakers on Thursday, including former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker. On Saturday, they will host Community Celebration Day featuring food, music and fireworks. 

“Several of the miners have expressed interest in coming back and celebrating with us. The rescuers too,” Arnold said. “I love this time of the year when rescuers come back from all over the country. We share this instant bond. It’s almost like we’ve fought in a battle side-by-side and we’ve won that battle over overwhelming odds.”

For more information on the rescue or the 15th anniversary schedule of events, visit the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation’s website.