RUPERT -
WVNSTV.COM UPDATE
This is the 2nd fatality at the Pocohontas Mine A in Greenbrier County.
According to officals, a man was killed at the facility in 2010, when owned by Massey Energy.
Alpha Natural Resources aquired Massey in energy in 2011 for $7.1 billion.
Representatives with Alpha Natural Resources said Thursday the number of citations at the mine since the takeover went down by 25 percent from 2011-2012.
WVNSTV.COM UPDATE
After the death of an electrician at a Greenbrier County coal mine, the president of the company he worked for issues a statement.
Craig Boggs, President of Alex Energy said, "We are all saddened by the loss of a talented colleague and friend. Our sympathies go out to the O'Dell family. The prayers and thoughts of all of us are with Steven's family at this difficult time."
State and Federal mine safety and health officials were promptly notified. They're investigating to find out just what happened and why. The company is cooperating with their investigation.
WVNSTV.COM UPDATE
WVNS has confirmed from sources that the 27-year-old victim is Steven O'Dell. O'Dell was an electrician at the mine.
WVNSTV.COM UPDATE
Federal mining officials have also confirmed the fatal mining accident.
According to Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson Amy Louviere, a 103(j) order has been issued and two inspectors from District 4 have already been dispatched to begin an investigation.
A 103(j) order is defined as allowing an authorized representative broad authority to protect the life of any person or to preserve evidence.
ORIGINAL STORY
A fatal mine accident occurred overnight in Greenbrier County.
According to Leslie Fitzwater, Public Information Specialist for the W.Va. Dept. of Commerce, a 27-year-old employee at Pocahontas Mine A, operated by White Buck Coal Co., was killed at approximately 1:30 a.m.
The victim allegedly was caught between a scoop and a continuous miner. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the accident, according to Fitzwater.
The mine is located in Rupert, Greenbrier County and is owned by Alpha Natural Resources.
W.Va. Office of Mine, Health, Safety and Training inspectors have been on site since early Friday morning.
The name of the victim has not been released at this time.
According to Fitzwater, this is the sixth mining fatality for West Virginia in 2012.
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