Crews have recovered the body of a Harlan County miner killed when a roof collapsed 14,000 feet underground.
Officials with INMET Mining, the owner of D-29 Darby Fork Mine in Holmes Mill, said the body of 33-year-old James D. Brown, of Lynch, was recovered Monday night at approximately 9:00.
Officials with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet told news outlets that Brown was killed when the roof collapsed Sunday night. He was working along at the time of the collapse.
“It is with our deepest sorrow that we must now confirm the passing of James Brown,” INMET CEO Hunter Hobson told WYMT. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with James’ family and also his coworkers at INMET. We were praying for a different outcome. At this time, we have no further comment as we transition from the recovery efforts and continue working with both state and federal agencies to determine what happened.”
Brown, a roof bolter with 13 years of experience, was an hour into his shift when the roof collapsed at 11:00 Sunday night. Mining operations were immediately shut down and a search and rescue effort began soon after the collapse.
Brown’s death is the sixth mining-related death in the U.S. this year and second in Kentucky.
INMET Mining is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
