US Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesman Jesse Lawder told ILN that the worker, whose name was not released, was at the 4 West headgate section in the no. 2 entry inby the section loading point at the Saline County mine when the incident occurred at about 9.07am local time.

“One miner was advancing the ventilation curtain when he noticed the roof in the intersection starting to fall,” Lawder said.

“This miner ran outby past the intersection. The intersection fell in and entrapped a second miner in the no. 2 entry inby the intersection.”

The mine’s rescue personnel started their efforts immediately and the miner was retrieved at about 12.43pm.

The rescue operation included the placement of crib supports to establish an escape path.

“The employee is uninjured and in good condition,” a Murray Energy spokesman said.

“[Mine operator] AmCoal operates the New Future mine in accordance with a roof control plan approved by MSHA.”

Lawder confirmed a federal inspector on the surface of the mine was preparing to go underground to perform an inspection at the time of the fall.

Appropriate orders had been issued, he added.

The Murray Energy spokesman confirmed to ILN that the roof fall impacted production of one continuous miner section.

“This production will be resumed when the area is cleared,” he said.

“All other units, including the longwall, are producing.”