Thursday, January 11, 2007
Miner Injured In Perrry County Mine
A miner was injured today after an accident at the Blue Diamond Coal Co. No. 74 mine in Perry County according to the state Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. The EPPC reported that the accident occurred close to 10:00 this morning when 43 year old Samuel H. Melton of Wooten, in Leslie County, was installing a ventilation curtain when a piece of draw rock fell from between roof bolts, striking him in the head. Melton was removed from the mine by company personnel and airlifted to Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, Tenn. The accident has initially been classified as “serious” by the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing, which issued a closure order for purposes of an investigation. It is the first mine accident reported in Kentucky in 2007.