Knox Mine Disaster documentary to be shown

The 1959 Knox Mine Disaster may not have the same name recognition of the Centralia Mine Fire.

But for those who know the story of the 81 workers who were trapped underground as the Susquehanna River flooded their mine, like filmmaker Albert Brocca, it is just as significant.

“The Knox Mine Disaster, I feel, is just as important, and that’s why I want to get this out there, to show this was just as equally devastating to our region,” Brocca said.

Albert and his cousin, David Brocca, have created a documentary exploring the disaster, the response, and the last days of the Anthracite deep mines in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The documentary includes interviews with survivors and original news footage from the disaster.

The documentary will screen this weekend at the Angela Triplex Theatre, 113 E. Phillips St., Coaldale. Two screenings are scheduled at 1 p.m. on March 7 and 8.

The Broccas were originally inspired by their family’s roots in the Wyoming Valley. Albert’s great grandfather died in the mines.

Their aspirations as filmmakers drew them to California. But each year when they would return home for the holidays, they arranged interviews with former miners. The interviews preserved their stories and made an impact on the filmmakers.

“They were just the toughest generation. They came back from war, and worked in these crazy mine conditions. They didn’t complain. They toughed it out so we could have the better life that we do now,” he said.

Along the way they learned about and became focused on the Knox Disaster.

In 1959, miners who had been instructed to tunnel beneath the Susquehanna River became trapped when the river broke through and flooded the mine.

Billions of gallons rushed into the mine, causing a whirlpool on the surface.

“It was like pulling the drain in a bathtub, but on a much larger scale,” Albert said.

Authorities unsuccessfully attempted to plug the hole by intentionally derailing a train to block the hole.

The miners were trapped for three days, and 12 were killed.

During their interviews, the Broccas were able to speak with three survivors, all of whom have since passed.

To bring the story to life, they found a photographer who was with a local news station at the time, who had filmed hours of footage.

Some scenes they recreated with help from an animator who uses charcoal for his drawings.

Since the film has been completed, they are showing it in theaters around Pennsylvania, and they hope to bring it to a wider audience through film festivals.

Screening the film at the Angela seemed like a logical fit. The town is located in the heart of the Anthracite region, and many can still recall the days when coal was king — whether they learned about it as a kid, or they lived it themselves.

“It’s a great pairing. I’m hoping to bring it to an audience where the people who lived through the coal mining heyday can reminisce, but also to teach some of the younger kids about what it was like for our ancestors to go through this era of coal mining,” Albert Brocca said.

For more information on the film, visit www.knoxminedisaster.com.

For more information on the event or to order tickets in advance, visit www.theangelatheatre.com.