A Freelandville man has died after an equipment fire in a Sullivan County mine.
It happened last Friday at the Bear Run Mine in Duggar, IN.
Peabody Energy operates the mine.
Dugger, IN - UPDATE*:
We're learning more details into the investigation of the death of a local coal miner in a fire.
Just after 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom released a statement on the latest in the investigation.
"A heavy equipment operator has passed away from injuries received, after a piece of equipment he was operating caught fire this past Friday.
Sullivan County Sheriff’s dispatch received the call from employees at the Bear Run Mine at 3:48 AM. Deputy Jeffery Kinnett responded, along with Union Fire/ Rescue and Sullivan County and Carlisle Ambulances.
The heavy equipment operator had been operating a large haul truck, when it suddenly caught fire. The driver, who jumped from the piece of equipment, was attended to by mine rescue personnel, before being transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
The man, who is from the Freelandville area, passed away from his injuries.
Further information will be released as details become available."
ORIGINAL*: An investigation is ongoing after a local coal mine worker dies after a fire.
A Peabody spokesperson confirms to WTWO News that an incident happened at the Bear Run Mine in Dugger last Friday morning.
The spokesperson says a 60-year-old contract employee was involved in an equipment fire.
The worker was transferred to a regional medical facility for burn treatment. The Mine Safety and Health Administration was notified and an investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to WTWO News, Peabody says, "We were informed Wednesday the individual suddenly passed away. We were surprised and dismayed to learn of the sudden passing and extend our deepest sympathy to family, friends and colleagues."
WTWO News has not yet learned the person's name.
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Peabody Energy's Dugger mine receives reclamation award
September 15, 2018
Peabody Energy Company has received two awards from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement agency.
Peabody Energy’s Bear Run Mine, located south of Dugger, received OSMRE’s Good Neighbor Award. Bear Run Mine was recognized for various programs and commitments by the mine and its employees through financial, in-kind and volunteer-time donations to surrounding communities and organizations.
For example, last year, during Bear Run Mine’s “Coal Mine Christmas,” employees raised $13,000 that provided 64 children with toys, clothing, coats, shoes and other necessities. Bear Run Mine employees also worked with the Heroes New Hope Foundation, providing the organization with a location as well as financial and volunteer support. The Foundation provides disabled veterans and disabled children with opportunities to hunt and fish.
Among many other philanthropic activities, Bear Run Mine also donated $25,000 for upgrades to the Pleasantville Gymnasium for a new roof, updated electrical service, a new generator and parking areas.
The other award is the OSMRE National Award for Excellence in Surface Mining and Reclamation for 2018.
Peabody received the award for its work on Wild Boar Mine, Barren Fork Pit, for exemplary mining operations and reclamation. Wild Boar Mine, located near Lynnville, mined through a 100-acre land area before enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Among other targets for reclamation, the mining left behind 1.2 miles of dangerous highwalls. Peabody’s reclamation efforts successfully eliminated the highwalls, replaced soil on areas from where it had been removed by previous mining, and converted what had been forested land before mining into wildlife habitat.
Both awards will be presented by OSMRE to Peabody Energy during the National Mining Association’s Excellence in in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards banquet on Sept. 27.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation, is responsible for enforcing SMCRA in the mining industry in Indiana. Indiana received primacy from OSMRE in 1982.