In the statement, read by Price attorney Sonney Olsen, the families said the refusal to drill a large hole and use a rescue capsule from the beginning to bring up the miners has endangered their loved ones as well as rescue teams trying to clear debris from the collapsed mine.

"We feel they have given up and are waiting for the six miners to expire," Olsen said.

The families' statement came on the heels of discouraging words from company and federal officials, saying it was "likely the miners may not be found."

The families, however, feel that the rescue capsule is the most efficient method for retrieving the men or their bodies, Olsen said.

The families have not given up hope that their loved ones are still alive and awaiting rescue, he said.

After the families' press conference, Rob Moore, in a telephone interview, said drilling the large bore hole and inserting rescuers was not a practical option.

Moore said drillers do not know where to position the hole, there does not appear to be a livable environment in the mine and the mine continues to undergo movements or "bumps" like the one which killed three men Thursday.

"We would be risking additional lives without knowing if we have live miners," Moore said.

Moore said the company told families Sunday morning that the large hole would be attempted only if there were signs any of the missing six are alive.

Moore confirmed Bob Murray has not visited with the families of the missing six since Thursday. Moore said Murray has been attending to the needs of the three men who died and the six who were injured on Thursday.