Fatality at Arch’s Leer Mining Complex, W.Va.
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A coal miner is dead after an accident at a mine in Taylor County.
State authorities said William Crandall, 57, of Fairmont, was killed underground at the Arch Coal Leer Mining Complex near Grafton Thursday.
The accident is classified as powered haulage, which includes equipment like shuttle cars, scoops, locomotives and front-end loaders, according to MSHA’s website.
“We’ve lost another coal miner. We lost a coal miner at the Leer Mining Complex. They had a safety record that was unbelievable and they’ve done a lot of good work. William Crandall, we’ve lost him, and it’s just terrible,” said Gov. Jim Justice.
Crandall is survived by his wife Davina.
The death marks the third coal mining death this year in West Virginia. Justice said miners are underappreciated.
“William Crandall died trying to make your life and my life better, we should always reminder that,” said Justice.
“Gayle and I are deeply saddened by the passing of William Crandall. West Virginians and all Americans are forever grateful for courageous miners like Joe, who put their lives on the line each day to power our nation. We ask that all West Virginians join us in keeping his family, friends and loved ones in our prayers during this devastating time. His bravery will never be forgotten. Gayle and I send our deepest condolences to Joe’s wife, Davina, and all of his loved ones as they mourn this incredible loss,” said U.S. Senator Joe Manchin in a statement.
Justice said Crandall and other coal miners are heroes.
“It’s surely an honorable but it’s a tough business but we should so respectful and thankful for our miners each and every day,” said Justice.
Investigators with the state Office of Miner’s Health, Safety, and Training and the U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration are investigating the cause of the accident which was related to haulage.
Crandall’s death is the second mining death in recent week. Ashley Cogar, 33, of Erbacon, died in late July after injuries suffered earlier in the month at the Wyco Surface Mine in Raleigh County near the Wyoming County line.
Source: WV Metro News
AUGUST 14 UPDATE
The preliminary report from the fatal accident that happened at the Leer Mine in Taylor County last week says that the victim was struck in the head and died two days later.
The report was released by the Mine Safety and Health Administration over the weekend and said that the accident happened while the victim, 57-year-old William Joe Crandall, of Fairmont, was working in the underground retreat mining area of the Leer Mine.
Crandall was using an air lifting bag to rerail a longwall electrical power car when he was struck in the head at 5:55 a.m. on Aug. 5, according to the preliminary report. He died around 3 p.m. on Aug. 7.
Crandall was a motorman at the mine and had been employed there for more than 11 years, the report said. He was one of 125 employees in the mine when the accident happened.
The accident is still being investigated by MSHA. A final determination on the nature and cause of the accident has not been released. You can see the full preliminary report HERE.
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