Crew crews search for Kentucky miners after roof collapse

Frankfurt, Kai. – The crew was searching Monday for a Kentucky miner who was working alone when a roof collapsed into the deep underground, officials said.

Lynch’s James D. Brown, 33, began his shift as a roof bolter operator at the Harlan County D-29 Derby Fork Mine late Sunday, owned by Inmate Mining LLC of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Says

A cabinet statement said the collapse occurred about 14,000 feet below the coal mine about an hour later.

The Kentucky Department of Mine Safety sent investigators to the mine Monday morning, who suspended the operation while the search continued, the statement said.

“The people of Kentucky who go to the mines every day to supply coal, which helps this country in particular, deserve our gratitude,” said Governor Andy Bassier. “Britain and I pray for the miner and his family – we all hope for his safe recovery.”

Kentucky Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman said they hope to find Brown safe first and “then begin the process of examining what happened at the mine and how it could be prevented.”