Search and Rescue Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Second Worker Dies In Kentucky Coal Mine Prep Plant Collapse

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the worker’s death on social media Friday afternoon.

A second man has died in the collapse of a building at an idled coal preparation plant in Eastern Kentucky.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the worker’s death on social media Friday afternoon.

“This is a heartbreaking situation and I hope everyone will join Britainy and me in praying for the families of these two workers and this entire community,” Beshear posted Friday on X, formerly Twitter.

Lon Lafferty, the Martin County executive, identified the men as Billy Ray Daniels and Alvin Nees.

Rescuers found Nees’ body on Friday.

Both workers became trapped in the wreckage of the Martin County Mine Prep Plant on Tuesday evening.

Daniels was alive when rescuers found him, but he died of his injuries before they could free him.

Both men were in the process of salvaging the 11-story building when it collapsed on them.

Rescue workers from around Kentucky were involved in the search.

Update: Missing Mingo County Boy Found

The Mingo County Sheriff's Office reported on its Facebook page that 12 year old Tucker Wolford has been found and returned to his family.

Updated on August 22 at 10:44 p.m.

The Mingo County Sheriff’s Office reported on its Facebook page that 12 year old Tucker Wolford has been found and returned to his family.

Original Post:

A community in Mingo County is out looking for a 12 year-old boy, last seen more than 24 hours ago.

Police say 12 year-old Tucker Wolford was last seen around noon on Sunday in Wharncliffe, just outside of Gilbert. Wolford was said to have left his house around 6 a.m. with a backpack and snacks.

An eyewitness told police they saw the preteen venture into the woods, which was common for the boy.

Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Chief Field Deputy Allen Mounts says it wasn’t common for him to go as far as he was last seen. It was also unusual for him to leave so early.

“Really unusual for him to go this far and to leave that early and to be gone this long so that’s why we’re treating it as a runaway,” Mounts said.

A search party started around 2 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters, West Virginia Fire Marshal officials and West Virginia State Police along with search dogs joined the search. On Monday, community volunteers joined in mostly on ATVs looking for the boy.

As time goes on, Mounts says, concerns are growing about the conditions of the mountains and the uncertainty of how much food and water Wolford packed.

For updates about the search and possible ways to help, check the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that Tucker Wolford was found and returned to his family. He is no longer missing.

Update: Search Expands for 3 Missing at Abandoned Mine

Workers are removing water and pumping fresh air into a nonoperational coal mine in West Virginia as they search for three people stuck inside.

The state Office of Miner’s Health, Safety and Training said Tuesday that a man who emerged on his own from the underground Rock House Powellton mine provided details about the location of the three, who he said were alive.

The state said rescue teams explored the mine overnight, but came out Tuesday after oxygen reserves were depleted.

No coal has been extracted from the mine for two years.

State officials said the four people were reported missing late Saturday and an all-terrain vehicle they were believed to be riding was found near the mine in Clear Creek.