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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, August 6, 2007, at approximately 2:52 a.m., a major coal bump/bounce occurred on the Main West pillar section trapping six miners. All four entries were rendered impassable approximately 2,000 feet outby the section. Underground rescue/recovery efforts were suspended on August 16, 2007, when a bump/bounce fatally injured three rescue workers. Air samples collected through boreholes drilled from the surface indicated an irrespirable atmosphere. Borehole cameras showed coal and debris filling the entries near where the trapped miners were thought to be located. All rescue/recovery work was suspended on August 31, 2007.

Diagram of Accident Site


Best Practices
  • Ensure that the roof control plan is adequate for ground conditions and mining practices.
  • Ensure that miners are trained on the provisions of the approved roof control plan.
  • Be alert for changing and adverse conditions on the section.
  • Know and follow the approved pillaring procedures in the roof control plan.
  • Conduct a thorough examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as conditions warrant.
More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.


These are the 19th through 24th fatalities reported during calendar year 2007 in the coal mining industry. As of August 24, 2006, there were 38 fatalities reported in coal mining. These are the 6th through 11th fatalities classified as Fall of Face, Rib, Side, or Highwall in 2007. As of August 24, 2006, there were three fatalities in this classification.

The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.


For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report



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