Death Waits Below: Greed, Dishonesty Lead To An Appalachian Mountains Coal Mine Tragedy, Revolt

In the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee a coal mine operates with an overzealous management that pushes productivity over safety. This results in a tragic underground methane gas explosion that kills dozens and traps others. A small Eastern Kentucky mountain community becomes outraged when it is learned that the coal mine explosion was caused by company greed. The company violates several safety rules, leading to the entrapment of dozens of men in an underground mine. The company does not reveal the existence of illegal mining equipment in the mine, leading to a second explosion, trapping a dozen more miners. Tension mounts as relatives of the trapped miners push for a third rescue attempt. A news reporter discloses the use of illegal mining equipment and all hell breaks loose. Story is told from both inside and outside the mine. The story revolves around some unique local characters, a troubled teen, a violent town and romance amid a turbulent period.