Investigation says miner crushed under 18-ton machine
DIXON, Ky. (AP) – An investigation into an accident that killed a coal miner in Western Kentucky last year found he was crushed after workers propped up an 18-ton machine with a stack of wooden boards that gave way.
The Lexington Herald Leader reports the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration faults the company for failing to put adequate procedures in place for propping up suspended equipment.
Rickey Thorpe was killed Sept. 16 at the Onton No. 9 mine in Webster County. That’s an underground mine operated by Sebree Mining, a subsidiary of Alliance Resource Partners.
Thorpe’s death was one of only two at Kentucky coal mines in 2015, tying the record for the lowest number of fatalities.
There have already been two deaths at Kentucky mines this year.
