The state Mine Safety Board announced
Monday it was issuing citations to Patriot Coal subsidiary Brody Mining in
connection with May’s fatal mining accident in Boone County
A coal outburst in an area where miners
were retreat mining at the Brody Mine claimed the lives of Eric Legg, 48, of
Twilight, and Gary Hensley, 46, of Chapmanville on May 12.
Inspectors determined the mine roof was
not properly supported and controlled to protect workers.
An investigation revealed that spider
cracks in the mine roof were noticed the day before the accident. An assistant
mine foreman told the section foreman the area shouldn’t be mined. The
investigation revealed a similar outburst happened May 9 and a miner had to be
dug out from the debris. He was not seriously injured
Miners talked with Hensley briefly after the outburst but he was
not alive when they reached him.
