Published: November 2, 2021 |

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A coal miner died in an accident Monday in southern West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice said.

The accident occurred Monday afternoon at Mingo Logan Coal Co.‘s Mountaineer II Mine in Sharples, the governor’s office said in a statement.

The statement, which didn’t include details surrounding the death, identified the victim as Brian D. Wallen, 49. It said Wallen was an assistant chief electrician with 25 years of mining experience.

According to an incident report issued by the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, an underground mining vehicle wrecked and the victim was not breathing when an emergency call was made.

It’s the sixth coal mining-related fatality in West Virginia this year. The state had two coal mining deaths for all of 2020.

“Cathy and I are deeply saddened to learn that we lost one of our West Virginia coal miners today,” Justice said in a statement. “We should never take for granted the strength and the courage of those who go underground to do the incredibly important work that it takes to power our communities, our state and our nation with coal for electricity generation and for steel making. Our hearts ache for this brave man, his family and the entire coal mining community for this terrible loss. I ask all West Virginians to join Cathy and I in praying for all his loved ones during this difficult time,” Gov. Justice and his wife Cathy said in a statement.

Source: The Associated Press

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