Fatal Roof Collapse at Boone Cty Coal Mine, Two Workers Dead

Officials from the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training (WVOMHS&T) have reported a fatal incident that occurred Monday night at a Boone County coal mine due to a roof collapse. The incident took place shortly before 9:00 pm last evening at Brody Mine #1 near Wharton, West Virginia. Two workers were killed.

According to investigators, the accident resulted from a coal outburst, which involves a sudden burst of coal, gas, and rock. The outburst caused a roof collapse, which subsequently trapped the workers in the mine. No other injuries have been reported and no other miners were trapped. Brody Mine #1 has received a number of MSHA violations in the past, including more than 250 "significant and substantial" violations during a 2013 review.

At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our West Virginia personal injury attorneys extend our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident. This roof collapse just adds to the fact that mining is a dangerous business - one of the most dangerous industries in the country - and there are far too many unnecessary deaths. As the investigation continues, officials will try to determine whether this tragedy could have been prevented.