Stevie Joe Browning, 24, was repairing a continuous miner with another worker on Saturday at Rockhouse Creek Development’s No. 8 mine in the southern town of Gilbert. He was injured when the unit’s torque shaft loosened, state mining officials confirmed to the Associated Press.
Browning, a section foreman, passed away from his injuries Monday.
Rockhouse Creek human resources representative John Earles told the news service that management was working with both state and federal regulators to investigate the accident and determine a cause.
“All of us are now focused on the Browning family and our employees as they cope with this tragic loss,” he said.
Requests for further information and comment from both the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training and the US Mine Safety and Health Administration were not immediately returned.
The mine was awarded the 2006 Mountaineer Guardian Award this past January by the West Virginia Coal Association during its annual conference in Charleston. The annual honour is bestowed upon operations that exemplify safety excellence during the prior year.
