Family Sues Idaho Mining Company Over Tunnel Collapse Death

The family of a miner who died in a, Idaho tunnel collapse two years ago has sued Hecla Mining Co.

53-year-old Larry “Pete” Marek was crushed to death in a cave-in more than a mile inside the Lucky Friday Mine on April 15, 2011. It took rescue workers nine days to dig out his body in the silver mine near Mullan, Idaho.

The Spokesman-Review reported that Marek’s widow and daughter filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Coeur d’Alene-based Hecla, President and CEO Phillips Baker Jr. and six company managers and engineers. Joining them in the lawsuit are Mike Marek, Pete’s brother, who also was working in the tunnel during the collapse and suffered injuries.

Hecla officials declined comment on pending litigation.