December 16, 2018 - West Virginia coal mine survivor, Cody Beverly, 21, and two male friends, were filmed showing their middle fingers to a media photographer, only hours after being saved.

The reaction was unprovoked, according to WCHS anchor, Leslie Rubin, “A news photographer was set up across the street shooting video outside of CAMC General Hospital. The photographer did not ask any questions or anything prior to the gesture, they just noticed he was shooting video of them and that was their reaction.”

The footage shows Beverly, still covered in dirt and coal dust while smoking a cigarette outside of Charleston hospital, acknowledge the cameras, and promptly give the photographer the gesture.

Commenters on social media range from anger to disappointment in the action. Some commenters are livid over the display and say Beverly is, “Ungrateful” and “Rude.” 

After the rescuers sacrificed their time and put themselves in harm’s way, people are shocked by the response Beverly gave. 

Beverly told WOAY’s media team that his experience was, “Life changing.”