On November 10 around 9.25pm, section foreman Raymond Scott Savage, 49, was fatally injured when a rock measuring about 2m by 1m and 30cm thick fell between the mine rib and the canopy of a roof bolting machine, striking him.

Savage was operating a roof bolting machine in the No 2 entry of the 2-North Section when the accident occurred.

Adequate protection was not provided between the automated temporary roof support (ATRS), the rib, and the last row of supports.

“The ATRS system was engaged with the roof at the time of the accident, but the pads of the ATRS were not in contact with the destabilised rock,” MSHA said in its report.

“The position of the roof drilling controls and canopy were adjacent to the machine, causing the victim to travel under the rock which fell without warning. The mine operator did not assure that adequate protection was provided between the ATRS, the rib, and the last row of supports.”