Body of Kentucky coal miner found after underground collapse

Harlan (US), Mar 23 (AP): Crews have recovered the body of a Kentucky coal miner missing after a roof collapsed deep underground, officials sai.

Written By : PTI | Updated at : 23 Mar 2022 04:01 AM (IST)

Harlan (US), Mar 23 (AP): Crews have recovered the body of a Kentucky coal miner missing after a roof collapsed deep underground, officials said.

Officials recovered 33-year-old James D. Brown about 9 p.m. Monday at the D-29 Darby Fork mine in Harlan County. Brown began his shift as a roof bolt operator late Sunday at the mine, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said. The roof fell about an hour later, more than 2 miles (3kilometers) from the entrance.

It was the sixth coal mining death in the U.S. this year and second in Kentucky.

Brown had three children and worked for more than a decade in mining, said Tony Oppegard, a lawyer for Brown's family. Oppegard is urging the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to allow a family representative to observe interviews conducted by accident investigators.

INMET Mining CEO Hunter Hobson confirmed Brown's death to WYMT-TV on Monday night.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with James' family and also his coworkers at INMET,” Hobson said. "We were praying for a different outcome." The state cabinet said an equipment operator was nearby when the roof collapsed on Brown.

“We are heartbroken at the news," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. “Please join me in expressing my deep condolences to his family, friends and community.” Mine operations remained suspended Tuesday while an investigation continues, state officials said.(AP) AMS AMS

(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)