COAL MINE FATALITY - On July 15, 1997, the continuous mining machine had been advanced about 10 feet to start a crosscut. The continuous mining machine operator was operating the machine remotely, position near the boom of the machine. The section foreman was about 10 feet inby the continuous mining machine operator. A massive roof fall occurred without warning. The section foreman was killed and the continuous miner operator was injured. A clay vein was present in the roof fall cavity.
This is the 19th coal mine fatality in 1997. As of July 15 of last year there had been 19 fatalities. This death is the seventh classified as ROOF FALL in 1997.
Drawing of the Accident Scene
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97C19]
