FAIRVIEW, W.Va. — More details are available regarding the accident at the Loveridge Mine in Marion County Wednesday morning.
UMWA Communications Director Erin Bates said at 9:42 a.m. there was a suspected communications issue that contributed to the accident.
“It does sound like there was an issue on the man trip, and two people were injured; one was hospitalized and has been released,” Bates said. “It sounds like a communication error.”
Federal, state, and local authorities are at the site in Fairview conducting a detailed investigation, according to Bates.
“We’re in the process of doing an investigation, so anything that comes out now is hearsay until we get the final investigation,” Bates said.
The accident happened on the eve of the 57th anniversary of the Farmington Number Nine Mine explosion that killed 78 miners just miles away.
“It’s important to train these miners and to make sure everyone does what they need to do to ensure the safety of their brothers and sisters that are down there with them,” Bates said.
The cause of the explosion was never confirmed, and the incident resulted in stricter mine safety regulations. The disaster led to the creation of the Mine Safety and Health Administration and passage of the 1969 Coal Mine Safety and Health Act.
“It just goes to show the importance of having policies and procedures and health & safety initiatives within a mine because accidents happen; it’s a dangerous job,” Bates said.