“On Saturday, August 9 at approximately 3.20pm Mountain time, five miners were injured at the subject mine while riding on a diesel mantrip. The miners were injured when the mantrip throttle apparently stuck, causing the mantrip to crash into the rib,” confirmed the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.

 

The agency identified the personnel carrier as a rubber-tyred TerroPro.

 

Three of the workers were airlifted from the minesite while the remaining two were transported to the hospital by ambulance or private vehicle. Reports to the agency from its District 9 office showed one miner had suffered a skull fracture, one had fractured vertebrae and one had a severed artery.

 

“Two other miners had lesser injuries, but were treated at a local hospital,” the agency noted.

 

“All miners injured are reported to be in stable condition.”

 

Also injured was a sixth worker who was assisting with rescue efforts when he suffered a heart attack. He was also sent via airlift to a local medical centre and was stable as of Monday afternoon local time.

 

MSHA said an investigation into the incident had commenced, with its Technical Support team assisting.

 

Neither TerroPro manufacturer Getman nor Oxbow Mining made public statements regarding the incident Monday.

 

No damage to the Colorado mine was reported, and the workers’ names have not been released.