Special Edition: Coal Fatal # 7

Fatality #7 – September 7, 2018

Accident Classification: Fire
Location: Bear Run Mine, Sullivan County, IN
Mine Controller: Peabody Energy
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Coal Bituminous

Tribune Star
September 13, 2018
Sheriff: Accident claims life of miner in Sullivan County 

A miner working in a Sullivan County mine has died after being injured in an equipment fire.

Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom said the Freelandville, Indiana, man died from injuries suffered after the large haul truck he was operating caught fire Sept. 7.

Sullivan deputies, Union Fire and Carlisle Ambulance responded to Bear Run Mine near Pleasantville at 3:48 p.m. Sept. 7.

The equipment operator was attended to by mine rescue personnel before being transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital. The man, whose name was not released, later died from his injuries.

Further information will be released as details become available, the sheriff said. Click here for source.

Sullivan Daily Times
September 13, 2018
Freedlandville miner dies Wednesday; investigation follows

 A Freedlandville man died Wednesday, and an investigation is ongoing into the cause of his death due to his involvement in a fire the preceding Friday.

“An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death,” said Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom, who also noted that he could not release the man’s name pending family notification.

The initial incident was called into Sullivan County 911 Dispatch around 3:50 a.m. Sept. 7. They were told a hauler for Bear Run Coal Mine had caught fire.

“The initial report of a piece of heavy equipment on fire, and they were requesting both fire and medical assistance …”Cottom said. “And the driver had to jump from the vehicle. The driver did sustain burns about his body. He was conscious and speaking with rescue personnel at the time.”

The sheriff added that the man was taken to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment, and discussion took place about airlifting the man to an Indianapolis hospital

“However, weather conditions prohibited that,” he said.

Cottom added that the Mine Safety and Health Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration would be the main investigating agencies in the case.

“And it’s not uncommon that local police and medical workers are interviewed by those departments,” he said. “We oftentimes provide a report or a statement or at time, we’re deposed on what our findings may have been.”

Bear Run Mine is operated by Peabody Coal.

“We were informed Wednesday the individual suddenly passed away,” a Peabody representative told WTWO-TV 2. “We were surprised and dismayed to learn of the sudden passing and extend our deepest sympathy to family, friends and colleagues.” Click here for source.

My Wabash Valley
September 13, 2018
Local Mine Worker Dies after Fire

Dugger, IN – UPDATE*: We’re learning more details into the investigation of the death of a local coal miner in a fire.

Just after 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom released a statement on the latest in the investigation.

“A heavy equipment operator has passed away from injuries received, after a piece of equipment he was operating caught fire this past Friday.

Sullivan County Sheriff’s dispatch received the call from employees at the Bear Run Mine at 3:48 AM. Deputy Jeffery Kinnett responded, along with Union Fire/ Rescue and Sullivan County and Carlisle Ambulances.

The heavy equipment operator had been operating a large haul truck, when it suddenly caught fire. The driver, who jumped from the piece of equipment, was attended to by mine rescue personnel, before being transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

The man, who is from the Freelandville area, passed away from his injuries.

Further information will be released as details become available.”

ORIGINAL*: An investigation is ongoing after a local coal mine worker dies after a fire.

A Peabody spokesperson confirms to WTWO News that an incident happened at the Bear Run Mine in Dugger last Friday morning.

The spokesperson says a 60-year-old contract employee was involved in an equipment fire.

The worker was transferred to a regional medical facility for burn treatment. The Mine Safety and Health Administration was notified and an investigation is ongoing.

In a statement to WTWO News, Peabody says, “We were informed Wednesday the individual suddenly passed away. We were surprised and dismayed to learn of the sudden passing and extend our deepest sympathy to family, friends and colleagues.”

WTWO News has not yet learned the person’s name. Click here for source.

Thanks for the share, AB.