US Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson Amy Louviere told ILN that much of the detail surrounding the incident was still preliminary, but could confirm that the man was working at the Buckingham Coal Company No. 6 mine in Glouster.
“The victim was presumed to have been struck by the boom of a continuous mining machine and may have been crushed between the boom and mine rib,” she said, nothing that he was alert and conscious when rescuers reached him and had good vital signs.
After reaching the surface, the worker was taken by ambulance to an emergency helicopter. Various local media have reported the worker is at a medical center in Columbus, though his condition is not known.
Louviere said MSHA had issued a 103(j) order, a federal order often given to mines where injuries have occurred and protection of the victim, staff and any evidence is needed, to No. 6 at 2.30pm local time Monday afternoon.
Federal officials have commenced an investigation.
The Perry County bituminous operation is controlled by James Graham, according to MSHA. Graham could not be located by ILN for comment or details by press time.
According to federal statistics, the mine has had three non-fatal days lost operator injuries so far in 2009, and recorded three in 2008. Last year, No. 6 produced just over 1 million tons on almost 175,000 operator hours worked.
