Another Mine Accident Reported in southern West Virginia - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Victim identified in fatal mine accident at Affinity Coal

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By Merrily McAuliffe, Anchor - email

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A release from the West Virginia Office of Mine Health, Safety and Training identified the victim of the coal mine accident on Thursday night as Edward L. Finney, 43, of Bluefield, Va.

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Officials with United Coal Company released the following statement about the fatal acc indent at the Affinity Mine in Raleigh County.

"At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 an employee at Pocahontas Coal Company's Affinity mine was fatally injured near the service elevator of the mine. The employee was a scoop operator in underground operations.

The company is working with state and federal investigators to complete a thorough investigation of the incident. The investigation is incomplete at this time.

The employee's name is being held until the family can be notified. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time."

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59News has confirmed with the Mine Safety and Health Administration that a miner was killed at the Affinity Mine in Raleigh County at 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. 

According to the release from MSHA, a miner was pushing a scoop bucket that was full of trash onto a hoist.  The hoist moved unexpectedly and picked up the scoop.  The victim was trapped under the scoop and crushed.

The name of the victim has not been released at this time.  MSHA is on the scene and has started and accident investigation.

59News has a crew on the scene.

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We've confirmed with the Office of Mine Health Safety and Training that there has been a mine accident at Affinity Mine in Raleigh County.

The accident happened on Thursday night.

We will follow up on this story as more information becomes available.

Details are still coming.