HARLAN COUNTY, KY – A worker was found dead following an accident at a coal mine in Harlan County, according to WYMT.
The victim was identified as 33-year-old James Brown of Lynch. Brown was working about 14,000 feet underground at the D-29 Darby Fork Mine in Holmes Mill Sunday night when a section of the roof collapsed, officials said.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and rescue crews conducted a search that ended Monday night when Brown’s body was found about three miles into the mine.
INMET Mining, the owner of the mine, released a statement that read in part, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with James’ family and also his coworkers at INMET. We were praying for a different outcome. At this time, we have no further comment as we transition from the recovery efforts and continue working with both State and Federal agencies to determine what happened.”
Kentucky Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman said officials will investigate the mine accident and try to determine how it could have been prevented. Investigators with the Kentucky Division of Mine Safety were at the scene on Monday.
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