W.Va. miner killed on Friday identified

Update Monday October 7 9:00 a.m.

Leslie Fitzwater with the state Office of Miner’s Health Safety and training says 62-year-old Roger R. King from Moundsville died Friday. 

King died Friday after an accident at CONSOL Energy’s McElroy mine in Marshall County. He was employed as a longwall maintenance coordinator.

King had 42 years of mining experience with 17 years experience at McElroy mine.

According to an email from the The West Virginia Office of Miner’s Health Safety and Training the accident happened around  1 o’clock Friday afternoon.
 
The state mine safety office says preliminary information indicates the miner suffered a head injury while underground. Exactly what happened was not immediately clear.

King died on the way to the hospital.
 
Pennsylvania-based CONSOL didn’t immediately comment.

Information from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration was not available right away because of the government shutdown.

“It is a terrible tragedy when the dangers that can accompany mining result in the loss of life,” said Governor Tomblin in a written statement.

“This miner and his family remain in the prayers and thoughts of Joanne and I, just as they surely do with all West Virginians.”