On January 2, 2006, an explosion at the Sago Mine in Upshur County, killed 12 miners. One man died in the blast, while 11 others were trapped and died from carbon monoxide. Rescue teams reached them 41 hours later, but only one man, Randal McCloy Jr., survived.

There was confusion during the rescue, and families were mistakenly told all 12 miners had survived. The news spread quickly, but three hours later, officials corrected the mistake and confirmed 11 were dead.

The mine’s owner, International Coal Group, said lightning may have caused the explosion. Others blamed it on friction inside the mine. The accident led to new mine safety laws. The mine reopened briefly but was later sealed permanently.