LUMBERPORT, WV -
Emergency crews are on the scene of a possible drowning at a Harrison County coal mine.
The call came in to 911 from CONSOL's Robinson Run Mine at 12:17 p.m. The incident happened near the Robinson Run Portal, which is just outside of Lumberport.
Initial reports indicate that three equipment operators were working on an earthen dam when the bank gave way, sending the workers, a bulldozer and two pick-up trucks sliding into a slurry pond, CONSOL officials said. You can see the pond in this aerial view from Google Maps.
Harrison County EMS and HealthNet helicopters were called in. One patient was taken by ambulance to United Hospital Center, in Bridgeport, where he was alert and in stable condition, officials said.
Another man was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital, in Morgantown. His condition is unknown.
Firefighters are still searching for the third employee, according to officials. Crews are draining the pond to find the man, who is still unaccounted for, according to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
The DEP has a helicopter trying to locate the dozer, and a boat is probing the bottom with a rod, according to MSHA officials. The last inspection of the facility was Oct. 16 and there were not any violations listed in the report from that inspection, according to Kathy Cosco with the DEP.
The standing water depth of the pond is about 12 feet. A survey team has been brought in to quadrant the area where the dozer is believed to be. A boat with sonar is getting ready to be launched. MSHA personnel are on site, along with company, state and UMWA officials, according to MSHA officials.
Firefighters from Lumberport, Shinnston and Nutter Fort, along with the Harrison County and Monongalia County dive teams, were also called to the scene, according to 911 officials.
The Harrison County Sheriff's department also responded.
State and federal mining officials were notified and are on the scene, CONSOL officials said.
The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training has been notified and has dispatched investigators to the scene, officials said.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVNS. All Rights Reserved.
