First U.S. coal mining fatality of the year

BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

THACKER, W.Va. — A coal miner has died in a mining-related accident in Mingo County.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said in a news release Sunday that 73-year-old William Mapes, of Freeburn, Kentucky, died Sunday afternoon.

Mapes was working as a contractor for LSM Contracting near Central Appalachian Mining LLC’s Grapevine South Surface Mine. He had 53 years of mining experience, the release said.

“Any time we lose a brave coal miner, it’s a tragedy beyond belief,” Gov. Justice said. “We should all be eternally grateful to Mr. Mapes for his 53 years as a coal miner, just as we should always be grateful to all coal miners across our state. Cathy and I will keep this man and his loved ones in our prayers and ask all West Virginians to join with us.”

Mine Safety & Health Administration officials are investigating but have not released details surrounding the accident.

It was the first reported U.S. coal mining fatality of the year. According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, there were at least 10 coal mining-related deaths nationwide last year, including four in West Virginia and two each in Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

(The Associated Press contributed to this article.)