FAIRVIEW -- A miner was killed in an accident at the Loveridge Mine in Marion County Thursday.
The accident happened just before noon at the CONSOL mine, near Fairview.
The miner, identified as Jessie Adkins, 39 of Belington, was apparently caught in a rib roll, which is when a block of left-over coal comes loose from the mine's wall or ceiling, officials from the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training said.
The coal that fell is estimated to have been four feet wide by 13-feet long and 6- to 24-inches thick, along the length, officials said.
Adkins was working as a roof bolter, when the coal came loose, according to a preliminary report.
A state mine inspector was at the mine Thursday afternoon.
The West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training and the Miners Safety and Health Administration are investigating Adkins' death.
Adkins had worked at the mine for three years and had seven years of mining experience, officials said.
He leaves behind a wife and a son and daughter.
The Marion County Sheriff's Department, the Marion County Rescue Squad and the Mannington Fire Department were called to the scene.
Calls to CONSOL officials have not been returned yet.
Statement from Sen. Jay Rockefeller on fatal mine accident:
“Today, the state mourns the loss of another dedicated miner and shares the grief of another mining family. Sharon and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of Jessie Adkins. This accident happens in the same week that both sides of Congress have put forward mine safety legislation with stronger safety rules for West Virginia coal miners and all workers. No law can prevent every injury or death – mining is dangerous and complex work -- but this legislation can help to make our mines more safe and promote a culture of safety at the top in mining and other industries. We can and must honor our fallen miners by always fighting to make things better.”
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