RALEIGH COUNTY, W.Va. — A Boone County coal miner died Thursday in an incident at a Raleigh County mine site.
Gov. Jim Justice announced the death of 43-year-old Nicholas David Adkins of Racine. According to the governor, Adkins was struck by an underground shuttle car at the Horse Creek Eagle Mine in Raleigh County.
Adkins served as a mine section foreman.
The incident marked the second mining fatality in West Virginia this week; Trenten Dille, 26, of Littleton died Wednesday while working at a Marion County Coal Resources mine near Fairview. Investigators said Dille was struck by the edge or rib of a coal support pillar.
“This second tragedy in as many days is a terrible blow to all West Virginians and to our mining community,” Justice said. “Please pray for this man and his loved ones, and for all of our miners and their families, just as Cathy and I continue to do everyday.”
U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., expressed her condolences on Twitter.
“I am heartbroken to hear of this tragic news,” she said. “This is another devastating reminder of all the risks our brave coal miners take to keep our houses warm and lights on. My prayers are with the miner’s family and the entire Raleigh County community today.”