BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOVELY — A Martin County man and a 14-year-old child were reported missing Sunday and possibly trapped inside the old abandoned Winco Mine after failing to return from a night of coon hunting in the Long Branch area of Lovely.

Martin County 911 Dispatch received a report that the two had been missing since around 2 a.m. The caller also reported that the man has Type 1 diabetes.

Searchers found the man’s ATV at the entrance to the mine works, along with footprints entering the old mine, Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said. However, they found no footprints coming out of the mine, which has not operated since the 1940s.

Officials contacted the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration office in Pikeville and requested a specially trained mine rescue team.

Martin County Emergency Management, local volunteer fire departments and law enforcement officers responded to the scene.

“With the age of these mine works and not knowing what the condition is inside, it is unsafe for anyone to enter until MSHA arrives and assesses the situation,” Kirk said. “Their mine rescue teams are specially trained for these types of rescues, but even with that being said, they’re still entering the unknown.”

Kirk asked the community to pray for the missing pair and the rescuers.

“I’m asking everyone who will to pray for the safety of the man and juvenile who are missing, as well as all rescuers who will be searching,” he said.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Story updated to say the child is 14 years old instead of 10.