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US Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson Amy Louviere told ILN the worker, whose name has not been released, drove up on a roadway berm and overturned his vehicle at Humphreys Enterprises’ No. 5 strip operation in Wise County at about 10.10am.
“Rescuers had to cut the cab area of the truck away to remove the driver,” she said, adding the driver was initially injured but later died as a result of the injuries.
MSHA staff from District 5 have commenced an investigation into the cause of the accident.
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy spokesman Mike Abbott confirmed the truck, which was on a curve of the steep haul road, was loaded at the time.
Mine owner Humphreys Enterprises told the Associated Press the driver was employed by contractor Presley Trucking.
According to federal records, the mine had not recorded any other fatal accidents since beginning production in 1983.
The worker’s death is the first in Virginia this year.
