Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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Preliminary Report Overview
On June 27, 2015, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a fatal accident occurred at the 4 West Mine in the No. 4 Entry of the 10 Right Area of the mine just inby the No. 63 Crosscut. The Diesel Scoop Operator opened both sets of airlock doors in the No. 4 Entry which were installed between the No. 63.5 Crosscut and 65.5 Crosscut. He drove the scoop car and the three supply wagons through both sets of airlock doors because the length of the scoop car and supply wagons would not allow him to use the airlock doors properly. The Scoop Car and supply wagons measured 94 feet in length and the space between the airlock doors measured 85.25 feet when closed. The Operator then dismounted the scoop car and traveled on foot to close the set of airlock doors at the No. 63.5 Crosscut. When the Scoop Car Operator closed the set of airlock doors at the No. 63.5 Crosscut, the doors fell towards the Scoop Operator pinning him under the metal airlock door. THe victim was found and freed from under the airlock doors and CPR was administered while the victim was being transported to the surface. The victim was then transported by ambulance to Southwest Regional Medical Center, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania where he was pronounced dead.