MELLVILLE, W.Va. — Today marks 20 years since a high profile mining accident claimed two lives in Logan County.
An underground fire on the mine’s conveyer belt broke out on the night of January 19th at Massey Energy subsidiary Aracoma Coal Company’s Alma #1 mine in Logan County. Miner’s Elvis Hatfield and Don Bragg, both roof bolters at the mine, died when they were overcome by thick smoke from the fire. The two men became separated from the rest of the miners on the crew and were unable to find their way to safety as the smoke filled the mine entry. Rescue crews found the two after 47 hours of extensive searching underground.
Then Governor Joe Manchin, accompanied by then U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller and then Third District Congressman Nick Rahall delivered the tragic news to families who had been awaiting word at a small church near the mine.
The incident came just over two weeks after the devastating Sago Mine Disaster in Upshur County which claimed the lives of a dozen miners.