Coal Mine Collapse Kills Two Miners

Rescue workers on Tuesday clawed through the wreckage of a collapsed coal mine in Wharton, West Virginia, that killed two miners, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said.

The accident took place late Monday at the Brody mine, which is owned by Patriot Coal Corp., a Boone County emergency dispatcher said.
 

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration identified the two miners as Eric Legg of Twilight, West Virginia, and Gary Hensley of Chapmanville, West Virginia.

"Heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the two miners - Eric and Gary - who lost their lives in this tragic mining accident," Tomblin said in a statement.

 

"We ask all West Virginians to continue praying for them during this very difficult time for our mining community."

 

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant called for an investigation into the cause of the collapse in the center of the state.

 

"As we learn more details, our first priority is ensuring the safe rescue and recovery of everyone involved and comforting the families in Boone County," Tennant said in a statement.

 

No other details were immediately available.

(By Annie Moore, Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Sofina Mirza-Reid)