COAL MINE FATALITY - On Sunday October 27, 1996, a
supply motorman, with 21 years experience, died while operating a 50-ton
locomotive. The motorman was operating the locomotive, trailing a trip
transporting longwall shields along the main track enroute to the
surface. The longwall shields were loaded on lowboy carriers coupled
to a lead locomotive. A longwall shield protruded past the edge of the
lowboy carrier towards the trailing locomotive. Upon reaching the
surface, the lead motorman stopped the trip and shortly thereafter the
trailing locomotive crashed into the end of the trip and the trailing
motorman was killed. The trailing locomotive was being operated with
operator's commpartment positioned on the outby end, while trailing a
trip traveling in outby direction.
This is the 29th coal mine fatality in 1996. As of October 27, of
last year, there had been 37 fatalities. This death is the tenth
classified as POWERED HAULAGE in 1996.
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL96C29]
