One coal miner is dead at the Marshall County Mine in Cameron, WV due to a roof collapse. Two more are injured.
Marshall County EMA Director Tom Hart confirmed there was one fatality at the Marshall County Mine Cameron Portal owned by Murray Energy.
One injured miner was transported by helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
Another injured miner was transported by ambulance to Wheeling Hospital.
Officials reported the mine's roof and wall collapsed.
Details of the accident are currently under investigation.
http://www.wtrf.com/...
My uncle worked at CONSOL Energy's McElroy mine for many years before retiring. My 25-year-old cousin works in that mine now as a roof bolter.
Murray Energy purchased McElroy as part of a 3.5 billion dollar purchase of 5 CONSOL mines in 2013, and the names of the mines were changed. The workers are represented by UMWA Local 1638 - the change in ownership didn't affect a current contract.
In searching for information via Facebook, I see lots of "prayers for the family" but not one person asking WHY this happened. I fucking hate Murray Energy, which is not a generally shared opinion in the Upper Ohio Valley. Robert Murray's company is the one who forced employees to donate to his PAC and "pro coal" candidates in the 2012 election. Robert Murray's company is also the one who forced employees to give up a day's pay to attend a pro-Romney rally in Wheeling. Robert Murray also sued the Charleston Gazette and coal reporter Ken Ward, Jr. (he's a mensch, let me assure you), for libel in 2012. This is the company that still insists the Crandall Canyon Mine Collapse that killed nine people (6 miners, 3 first responders) was brought about by a naturally occurring earthquake, despite all scientific evidence to the contrary.
Did I mention I fucking hate Murray Energy?
This company has a long, long history of safety violations There are so many it would probably take days to hunt down each and every violation. Here's just one article about Murray Energy safety, and what they do to fight MSHA.
http://www.cleveland.com/...
So another coal miner died last night. Sadly, it doesn't get a lot of attention when they die one at a time. There were 16 fatalities last year in coal mines. In 2015, three coal miners have died to date.