Miner killed by falling rock, company says

Posted: Monday, March 16, 2015 10:13 pm

By Allie Robinson Gibson Bristol Herald Courier

A miner was killed early Monday while conducting an examination of part of the mine before the morning shift was due to arrive, according to state officials, who are still investigating the death.

David Brummitte, 34, of Pound, Virginia, was found about 5:10 a.m. Monday in Deep Mine 41 in McClure, Virginia, according to a statement from Alpha Natural Resources, parent company to Paramount Coal Co., where Brummitte worked for two years.

The preliminary investigation suggests he was hit by a rock that fell off the mine wall, according to the statement.

Brummitte was a certified workplace examiner, and doing an examination prior to the shift coming in is a standard practice, said Tarah Kesterson, spokeswoman for the state Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

Posted: Monday, March 16, 2015 12:45 pm | Updated: 9:46 am, Tue Mar 17, 2015.

BY ALLIE ROBINSON GIBSON | BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
agibson@bristolnews.com | 276-791-5459 | Facebook.com/bhcallie | Twitter: @BHC_Allie
Posted on Mar 16, 2015

A miner was killed early Monday while conducting an examination of part of the mine before the morning shift was due to arrive, according to state officials, who are still investigating the death.

David Brummitte, 34, of Pound, Virginia, was found around 5:10 a.m. Monday in Deep Mine 41 in McClure, Virginia, according to a statement from Alpha Natural Resources, parent company to Paramount Coal Co., where Brummitte worked for two years.