COAL MINE FATALITY - On August 24, 1997, the continuous mining machine operator was operating the remote control continuous mining machine during pillar mining. A shuttle car was accepting coal from the continuous mining machine with the continuous mining machine helper nearby, when a sudden pillar fall began. The continuous mining machine operator and helper started running from the area as the shuttle car operator quickly trammed the shuttle car away from the pillar line. As the continuous mining machine helper ran past the shuttle car, he slipped and fell in front of the shuttle car. The shuttle car ran over him causing fatal injuries.
This is the 23rd coal mine fatality in 1997. As of August 21 of last year there had been 21 fatalities. This death is the eighth classified as POWERED HAULAGE in 1997.
Photograph of the Accident Scene
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97C23]
