Officials: 2 killed at West Virginia coal mine
5/13/2014WHARTON, W.Va. — State and federal officials say two workers who were trapped when the ground failed at a West Virginia mine with a history of safety violations have died.
Federal and state safety agencies say the incident occurred about 8:45 p.m. Monday at Brody Mine No. 1 in Boone County, about 50 miles south of Charleston.
The state Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training identifies the workers as 48-year-old Eric D. Legg of Twilight and 46-year-old Gary P. Hensley of Chapmanville.
No additional injuries or trapped workers are reported.
The state agency says preliminary indications show a coal burst was responsible but provided no other details.
In a statement, mine owner Patriot Coal confirmed the deaths and said a coal burst was the cause. The company didn’t respond to emails or calls about the incident or the mine’s safety record.