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Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Miner killed in roof fall in Pike County
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2006) - A miner was fatally injured Jan. 10, 2006 in a roof fall accident at Maverick Mining Co. LLC No. 1 mine in Pike County.
The victim, Cornelius Yates, 44. of Shelbiana, was operating a roof bolting machine when a section of the mine roof approximately 20 feet wide, 4 ½ feet thick and 10 feet long fell. The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing Mine Rescue Team was dispatched to the scene immediately.
"We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Yates.
Mine safety is a top priority for Governor Fletcher’s administration. In spite of having had two years with the lowest number of active mining fatalities in Kentucky’s history, we commit to working even harder to do everything we can to continue to improve safety in the mines," said LaJuana S. Wilcher, secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC).
The accident occurred approximately 2:55 p.m.
The accident is being jointly investigated by the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.
It was Kentucky’s first mine fatality of 2006.
Time line of accident and response:
3:11 p.m. -- Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL), Pikeville office, notified of roof fall. Roof bolt operator missing.
3:15 p.m. -- Kentucky inspector activates the mine rescue team
3:25 p.m. -- Kentucky mine inspector arrives at mine site
3:35 p.m. -- Paris Charles, Executive Director, OMSL (Frankfort, Ky.), notified
3:40 p.m. -- Kentucky mine inspector underground evaluating the scene
3:40 p.m. -- Mine rescue response vehicle arrives at the mine
4:00 p.m. -- Full mine rescue team arrives at the mine site
4:10 p.m. -- Mine rescue teams enters the mine
6:00 p.m. -- Victim pronounced dead
7:40 p.m. -- Body removed from mine
Size of roof fall estimated at 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and 4.5 feet thick.
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