There are many injustices in this world and we all know life isn't fair. For some matters, there is supposed to be a system of checks and balances. We may not agree with the final outcome, but at least we know that the matter went through the established system.
The Cooks lost their only son Chad, 25, at work on November 8, 200;They have been very patient with the system. The Cooks were informed of their sons death by two coworkers but wanted to know the circumstances surrounding Chads death and contacted the police department, they were told the mine would do the investigation so there was no report with them. There was some confusion as to who should do the investigation so ultimately no one did.
In April of 2007 Ken Ward of the Charleston Gazette a investigative reporter listened to the Cook's plea, done some leg work, and found that the incident was on the mines property. Ken then wrote an article exposing the mishaps here:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/912288/feds_state_reopen_probe_of_coal_truckers_death/index.html.
The state of West Virginia then agreed there should be an investigation. In August the Cooks receive a call from the federal agency, MSHA, stating they were still trying to decide whether to investigate the fatality.
Now, as the Cook family approaches the 2nd anniversary of their son's death they have no more insight than they did the day he died. The Cooks have been terribly let down by (MSHA) which hasn't done its statutory job investigating this fatality.
The Cooks just want justice for their child; they have the right to know what happened to their son and what his last moments were. Chad Cook should be counted and treated as a human loss. The Cooks will never begin any closer until they receive a fair and satisfactory investigation of the incident.
Give the Cooks Justice! Give Chad the rights he deserves!
