Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Accident claims life of Harlan County miner

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 21, 2006) – A miner was fatally injured early today in an accident at Lone Mountain Processing Inc.’s Huff Creek No. 1 Mine in Harlan County.

Rick McKnight, 45, of Cumberland, was found pinned between mining machinery at approximately 4:30 a.m. EDT.  The victim was taken to Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The accident occurred approximately 5.5 miles underground. The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing is investigating the accident.

McKnight was a mechanic with 11 years experience at the mine, located near Holmes Mill.

The accident was Kentucky’s fifth active mine fatality of 2006 and the second fatality this week. David Chad Bolen, 28, of Harold, was killed in an accident in Pike County April 20.