COAL MINE FATALITY - On March 23, 1997 a
longwall stage loader operator and another miner were setting
wooden cribs in the stage loader area as the longwall section
mined toward them. After breaking open a bundle of crib blocks
and partially building a crib at the mouth of a crosscut, the
stage loader operator walked to the longwall master controller.
A 21-foot long section of the eight-foot rib suddenly collapsed
opposite the master controller. The stage loader operator was
crushed against the master controller box.
This is the sixth coal mine fatality in 1997. As of March 23
last year, there had been 10 fatalities. This death is the first
classified as FALL OF RIB in 1997.
Photograph of the Accident Scene
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97C06]
