Murray Energy subsidiary American Energy told ILN late Wednesday that, preliminarily, it had determined that mechanic Keith Baker, who died August 8 at the Century mine in Monroe County, was struck in the chest by the top of a base lift jack cylinder of a roof support.

“The base lift jack cylinder catastrophically failed, with no detectable prior indications of such an imminent failure,” the producer said, adding that it believed the worker’s death was instantaneous.

Baker, who had 10 years of mining experience, was working alone at the time of the incident Monday, and no other miners were injured.

Federal technical support team members and local MSHA Coal District 3 personnel are participating in an investigation into the accident’s cause, as is the state Division of Mine Safety.

“American Energy has no other concern until the safety of our employees is assured,” the company said Tuesday.

“Since the opening of [the] Century mine, an accident of this magnitude has never occurred. Mr Baker was a very much respected and valued…employee [and] the most sincere condolences are extended by the company and all of our 634 employees to [his] family, many of whom are also coal miners.”

The Century mine in Monroe County, a longwall operation, employs 450 workers.