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West Virginia Coal Mine Accident
< < Back to west-virginia-coal-mine-accidentState and federal officials say two mine workers who were trapped when the ground failed in a West Virginia mine have died.
The incident occured 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.
The state agency says preliminary indications show a coal burst was responsible, but provided no other details.
Brody Mine No. 1 has a history of safety violations that include repeated failture to meet mandatory safety standards at the mine, according to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.
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.
No additional injuries or trapped workers are reported.