Miners are helping to rebuild a road destroyed by Hurricane Helen

BRIDGEPORT, WV (WDTV/Gray News) – A group of coal miners from West Virginia helped rebuild a road in North Carolina that was destroyed by Hurricane Helen.

Unnamed coal miners helped restore access to a 2.7-mile stretch of highway from Bat Cave to Chimney Rock, according to Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

“The miners of West Virginia are the most heroic and patriotic men and women I have ever met in my life,” Manchin said. “And the fact that several of them volunteered to go to North Carolina to help restore access to a road destroyed by Hurricane Helen is a testament to that.”

According to preliminary estimates of state officials, the project will last several months. Some thought the project was impossible, according to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.

However, in less than a week the coal miners did it voluntarily.

Justice thanked the miners for “pulling together and being incredible” and said it was “another reminder of why West Virginia miners are the best in the world.”

Manchin echoed Justice’s sentiments, saying the miners’ action was “a perfect example of the Appalachian tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.”

“Our brave coal miners have consistently done the hard work to ensure the greatness of West Virginia and America,” Manchin said. Through their work ethic and determination, they helped our country win two world wars, build cities and a strong middle class, and our miners continue to support Americans in every corner of the country.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to these miners for their selfless service to our Appalachian neighbors in need.”