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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Sunday, April 9, 1995, a security guard was fatally overcome with carbon monoxide while in his automobile. At the time of the accident, the automobile, a 1982 model, was parked at a vantage point on mine property where both means of access to the surface mine property could be observed. The victim was employed as a security guard on three days at the end of each week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. His normal shift was from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each day. He had other employment throughout the remainder of the week.

The deceased performed his duties as a security guard using his personally owned vehicle. He was found late Sunday morning, by members of his family, in his automobile with the engine running. The automobile exhaust system was found to have leaks at three locations, and the car body had holes into its interior where the carbon monoxide could enter.

This is the ninth coal mine fatality in 1995. As of April 9 last year, there had been 11 fatalities. This death is the first classified as OTHER (Asphyxiation) in 1995.

Photograph of the accident scene

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95C09]