MORGANTOWN, W.VA. ? The sole survivor of the Sago mine disaster was moved out of the intensive care unit Tuesday at Ruby Memorial Hospital as his condition continued to improve.

Randal McCloy Jr., 26, was transferred to a step-down unit with less intensive monitoring because his condition, while still serious, has become more stable, said Dr. Larry Roberts.

McCloy, the only miner on a crew of 13 to survive the Jan. 2 explosion and its aftermath, has not yet regained consciousness.

Roberts said McCloy’s heart and liver functions were recovering slowly, but he remains on dialysis because of his kidney damage. McCloy, of Simpson, has been breathing without assistance for several days.