2 Kentucky Coal Miners Die in Mining Accidents in 1 Week

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A coal miner working underground in western Kentucky died after being struck by a coal scoop.

It was the second coal mining death in Kentucky in less than a week and the fourth overall in the U.S. this year.

Phillip Ramsey, 58, was working on ventilation curtains at the Cardinal mine near Madisonville Tuesday evening when he was struck by the scoop, according to a release from Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet. Ramsey was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The mine is owned by Warrior Coal, a subsidiary of Alliance Resource Partners.

“This man’s death is especially tragic as this is the second miner that we have lost within a week,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in the release.

Mining operations were suspended while an investigation is conducted.

Last Friday, 48-year-old Douglas Slusher died in a surface mining accident in Bell County in eastern Kentucky.

Slusher died Friday after being struck in the chest when a coupling failed on a hydro gun he was operating at the Double Mountain Mining (hash)3 “Strata” mine, the state Energy and Environment Cabinet said in a release. Slusher, 48, of Calvin, Kentucky, was given CPR but died on site.

“Our hearts go out to the miner, his family and co-workers for this tragic loss of life,” Beshear said. “We invite everyone in the commonwealth to join us in prayer today.”

Operations at the mine were shut down after the death and will be suspended while an investigation continues, state officials said. The state sent investigators to the mine.

“We will learn more about how this accident happened so that we can hopefully prevent another such loss of life,” said state Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman.