CLEAR CREEK, W.Va. — A search began Sunday afternoon for four people feared missing in an abandoned Raleigh County coal mine.
According to the state Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training, an ATV being used by the missing group was found near the Elk Run Coal Company’s Rock House Powellton Mine near Clear Creek Sunday morning.
The state Mine Safety Team was activated and two state mine safety workers and two from parent company Alpha Natural Resources entered the mine at around 1 p.m.
Gov. Jim Justice issued a statement Sunday evening, citing similar incidents in recent weeks:
“All West Virginians who are driving, riding ATV’s, or hiking near abandoned mines please STOP entering the abandoned mines. This is extremely irresponsible behavior that puts our first responders and mine safety crews in unsafe situations when they should be focused on ensuring safety at active mines. I cannot stress enough how dangerous these abandoned mines are and how hazardous they are to humans.”