Worker Killed in Accident at West Virginia Coal Mine

A worker at a Boone County, W.Va., coal mine is dead following an accident.

Department of Commerce spokeswoman Leslie Fitzwater says the accident occurred around 4 a.m. Friday at Coal River Mining LLC’s Fork Creek No. 10 Mine.

Fitzwater identified the victim as Johnny Mack Bryant II of Lenore.

Federal officials say the 35-year-old was part a midnight shift crew moving a continuous miner when he suffered crushing injuries between part of that machine and a mine wall.

Fitzwater says the victim had a year and 14 weeks experience.

Bryant’s is the third West Virginia coal mining death so far this year. There have been a dozen nationwide.