MONTCOAL, W.Va. — Alpha Natural Resources suspended the search for a man believed to be lost in the Upper Big Branch Mine near the Raleigh-Boone County border. Alpha’s mine rescue team spent two days searching the vast underground operation which was sealed up permanently in 2012 after the 2010 explosion which killed 29 men.
They were looking for David Lee Adkins of Bloomingrose who had allegedly broken through the seal and entered the mine with at least three other men looking to steal copper wire.
Alpha officials released this statement Friday:
“Over the course of two days, and in concert with state and federal regulatory authorities, an exhaustive underground search was conducted of every accessible area from multiple entry points into the mine. The alleged trespasser was not found. After discussion with authorities, agreement has been reached to conclude the underground search. Security personnel will be posted at mine access points over the coming days as an added safety precaution. We will continue cooperating with law enforcement’s ongoing investigation.”
Adkins was reported missing by his wife who told investigators her husband and the others had gone into the mine to pilfer the leftover copper.
Troopers arrested a second man in connection with the break in Friday. Everett Adkins was charged with breaking an entering. Earlier in the week troopers charged William Bennett with the same crime. Bennett told investigators he had been with Adkins inside the mine, but the two got separated around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday.