By Chelsea Robinson

December 12, 2018 - Workers are removing water and pumping fresh air into a nonoperational coal mine in West Virginia as they search for three people stuck inside.

The state Office of Miner's Health, Safety and Training said Tuesday that a man who emerged on his own from the underground Rock House Powellton mine provided details about the location of the three, who he said were alive.

"He has not been arrested. He is cooperating with us. No charges have been filed against anybody," Raleigh County Sheriff Scott Van Mater told WVVA.

The state said rescue teams explored the mine overnight, but came out Tuesday after oxygen reserves were depleted.

“Our priority is rescuing these individuals and maintaining the safety of our mine rescue teams. I have ordered the coordination of all resources needed for rescuers to continue to search the mine. We’re doing everything we can to accelerate the rescue,” said Gov. Jim Justice, according to WHSV. “These families, friends and the entire community are really hurting and need to be in our prayers."

Those missing inside the mine have been identified by WVVA as Kayla Williams, 25, Erica Treadway, 31, and Cody Beverly, 21.

"I don't know how he ended up under there. What possessed him. I can't answer any of those questions. All I know is he's there," Beverly's grandfather, Greg Scarbro, said.

"I just didn't know what to think, I couldn't believe she went in there. It's just mind boggling, you know. I just know how dangerous it is," Tyler Treadway, Erica Treadway's brother, said to CBS News.

Scarbro said he is frustrated and does not believe everything is being done that could be.

"My grandson has been in that mine for over 80 hours. Over 80 hours and he's still under there," he said. "When it's one of your kids, you want it done now. We're hoping and praying and believing that things are going to work out good."

No coal has been extracted from the mine for two years.

State officials said the four people were reported missing late Saturday and an all-terrain vehicle they were believed to be riding was found near the mine in Clear Creek.