Randal McCloy Jr., the sole survivor of this week’s disastrous West Virginia mine blast, remained in a medically induced coma in a Pittsburgh hospital yesterday.
His doctor said he’d made strides toward recovery, but they stressed that he was still very much in danger.
Dr. Richard Shannon, of Allegheny General Hospital, said that the 26-year-old’s treatment in a hyperbaric chamber had gone well, and that his heart was back to functioning properly – “two very, very important milestones.”
But McCloy’s collapsed left lung was not responding as well as hoped. He inhaled large amounts of coal dust and toxic gases after passing out inside the mine. And there are signs of possible brain damage, though exactly how much cannot be known for some time, medical officials said.
McCloy has moved at times, but that’s the result of changes in his medication, Shannon noted.
“I don’t want to let anyone think that is some clear indication whatsoever of the nature of the extent of his recovery or injury,” the doctor said.