Skip to content
COAL MINE FATALITY - On Saturday, July 29, 2000, at approximately 9:00 pm, a 45 year-old haul truck operator, with 9 years mining experience, was assigned to drive a Euclid, Model CH 150, coal haul truck. The victim, who had 2 months experience as a coal haul truck driver, lost control of the loaded haul truck and traveled through a berm along the haul road. The victim was not wearing a seat belt and he received fatal head injuries when he was ejected from the cab of the truck. The truck traveled approximately 80 feet before coming to rest.

Drawing depicting haul truck

Best Practices

  • Perform pre-operational safety inspections of your equipment

  • Always wear seatbelts when operating vehicles. Seatbelts have saved many lives in mine haulage accidents.

  • Haulage truck braking and steering systems must always be maintained in good repair and adjustment.
    • More Information
    E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program     		Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.


    This is the 17th fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1999, there were 22 fatalities. This is the fifth surface powered haulage fatality reported in the mining industry in 2000. At this time in 1999 there were three surface powered haulage fatalities reported in the mining industry.


    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.



    For more information:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report