West Virginia coal miner dies in underground accident

Dec. 19 (UPI) — A coal miner in West Virginia has died, the latest mining fatality in the state following the flooding death of a miner last month.

The unidentified miner died Thursday morning in what has been classified as a “powered haulage” accident at the underground Lower War Eagle mine, located near the West Virginia-Kentucky border, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration said in a statement.

The incident was reported at about 7:30 a.m. EST.

The mine is operated by Colorado Coal LLC.

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training responded to the incident and is conducting a full investigation, according to West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who said he and his wife, Denise, are “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a coal miner.”

“Each day, West Virginia miners perform difficult and demanding tasks. They do this to provide for their families, to build the communities and to forge a better future for the next generation of West Virginians,” he said in a statement emailed to reporters.

“It is that work, their strength and their dedication that defines our state and our nation.”

He asked for residents of West Virginia to “lift this miner’s family, friends and community up in your prayers and keep them in your thoughts through the difficult days ahead.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said in a social media statement that there was “heartbreaking news out of Wyoming County.”

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of a coal miner at the Lower War Eagle mine,” she said. “Charlie and I are praying for the miner’s family, loved ones and fellow miners during the incredibly difficult time.”

Last month, a coal miner died after a pocket of water was struck inside Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County, causing the mine to flood.

The miner, identified as 42-year-old foreman Steven Lipscomb, was last seen trying to ensure his crew made it out safely. His body was discovered a week after the incident, when waters in the mine receded.