Spokesperson Amy Louviere told ILN that the worker, identified by local media as Dustin Gamble, was tramming a CM across the working section at Buckingham Coal’s No. 6 mine about 1.52pm local time December 14 when the incident occurred.

“A cut had been completed in No. 8 entry and the continuous miner was being moved to No. 10 entry,” she explained, noting that the crew’s shuttle car operator assisted in placing the miner cable on the boom.

“At the No. 9 intersection, the continuous miner operator walked around the machine. [Gamble] was tramming the miner as he walked and was in the red zone.”

At that point, the mine floor, which was soft in that area, broke under one side of the tracks and threw the machine into the operator, causing the metal cable rope post to strike him.

“The injured was pinned between the cable/metal post and the mine rib … unable to release himself and other miners moved the machine,” Louviere added.

After being treated for his serious injuries underground, he was transported to the surface and then on to a medical facility, where he remained Tuesday evening with four broken ribs.

Louviere confirmed that a federal investigation had commenced, but did not detail how long the review could take. In the meantime, the mine has been forced to suspend production.

“The 103(k) closure order [issued by MSHA after accidents and fatalities] will not be terminated until the investigation is completed and all miners receive additional training,” she told ILN.

“The approved roof control plan includes a provision preventing miners from being in the red zone.”

According to MSHA, the Perry County bituminous operation is controlled by James Graham. It has had three non-fatal days lost operator injuries so far in 2009, and recorded three in 2008.