Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA): Mine Hazard Awareness Campaign Fatality Information

U.S. Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978

Photos representing the mining workforce

www.msha.gov

[skip navigational links]Search MSHA Advanced Options | A to Z | Help

Find It! in DOL | Compliance Assistance |

	Fatal Accident Summaries for 2005

09/23/2005
Boy dies as tree hits him after gravel pit landslide
Associated Press

Rome City, Ind. -- Children throwing rocks in a northeastern Indiana gravel pit triggered a landslide that caused a tree to fall onto one of the boys, killing him, police said. Rome City Town Marshal Steve Heltzel said Ryan A. Coe, 11, and five playmates were throwing rocks against a 30-foot-high sand cliff Friday, Sept. 23, when it collapsed, bringing the 40-foot tree down on the youngster.

Coe, a fifth-grader at Rome City Elementary School, was pronounced dead at the scene, said Floyd Rinehart, deputy marshal in the town about 30 miles north of Fort Wayne. The Noble County coroner determined the cause of death to be a skull fracture. The other children were not injured in the incident.

Neighbors say the pit is a popular destination for children. "Boys like riding bikes on dirt out there," said Bonnie Bolen, who lives nearby.

The gravel pit's owner, Skip Altimus, Wawaka, said he had erected signs warning against trespassing, but they later were missing or broken.

"I'm heartbroken that the child got killed," he said. "It's very unfortunate."


Back to Top	www.msha.gov	www.dol.gov
Frequently Asked Questions \| Freedom of Information Act \| Customer Survey Accessibility \| Privacy & Security Statement \| Disclaimers

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 21st Floor Arlington, VA 22209-3939	Phone: (202) 693-9400 Fax-on-demand: (202) 693-9401 Technical (web) questions: Webmaster On-line Filing Help: MSHAhelpdesk@dol.gov or call (877) 778-6055 Contact Us