US Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson Amy Louviere told ILN that the victim, whose name has not been released, fell about 15 feet from a catwalk at the McCoy Elkhorn KC No 1 operation in Knott County.
The individual, a contractor for T&B Transport, was working with others to remove a belt line from the mine when the accident took place. Various local reports said the fall occurred at about 9am.
“[He] suffered a head injury,” Louviere said.
“While being transported to the hospital by ambulance, the contractor died.”
MSHA has commenced an investigation into the incident.
Kentucky state mining office spokesman Dick Brown told ILN the agency would not be involved in the probe because the incident occurred at a non-licensed site.
McCoy Elkhorn is a subsidiary of James River Coal.
According to federal data, the underground mine last produced bituminous coal in 2009, when it had 98,592 tons of output.
