COAL MINE FATALITY - On July 15, 1997, a continuous mining machine operator was remotely operating the mining machine, making a pillar split on a retreat mining section. The section foreman wa nearby observing, when the roof began to work. The continuous mining machine operator and the section foreman ran out of the space area and into the intersection outby. The roof in the intersection fell, killing both the continuous mining machine operator and the foreman.
These are the 16th and 17th coal mine fatalities in 1997. As of July 15 of last year there had been 19 fatalities. These deaths are the fourth and fifth classified as ROOF FALLS in 1997.
Plan View of the Accident Scene
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report[FTL97C16]
