One Killed in Accident at West Virginia Coal Operation

Another person has died at a West Virginia coal operation.

State mine safety spokeswoman Jama Jarrett says the accident happened at a refuse area and preparation plant in Upshur County about midday Tuesday.

Details are sketchy. Jarrett says the victim apparently was struck while a piece of equipment was being moved. She says it’s not clear whether the victim was a miner.

Jarrett says the accident occurred at a property operated by Carson One Mining. A working telephone number for the company could not immediately be located.

The accident brings the death toll at the nation’s coal operations this year to 36. Twenty-nine coal miners died in a massive explosion April 5 at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.