Apprentice Miner Killed in Underground Accident

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Apprentice Miner Killed in Underground Accident

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Posted: 6:58 PM May 30, 2008
Last Updated: 12:03 AM May 31, 2008
Reporter: Mike Waterhouse
Email Address: mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com

11 comments

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PHILIPPI, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia mine officials say an 18-year-old apprentice miner was killed after he was run over by mine scoop underground Friday in Barbour County.

It happened at about 2:30pm at the Wolf Run Sentinel Mine in Philippi. It's owned by the International Coal Group (ICG).

According to Jama Jarrett with the Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training, Adam Lanham had only worked for the mine for five weeks, and was considered a "red hat" -- or a miner-in-training.

Jarrett tells WSAZ that preliminary indications are that the mine scoop that ran over Lanham was operated by another miner -- but there is no word yet how the accident happened.

An investigator from the state will be in Barbour County Friday night to further investigate the incident, according to Jarrett.

We're told Lanham's father and two brothers apparently work at the same mine.

Lanham's death is the third mining-related death this year in West Virginia and the 11th in the U.S.

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Posted by: corrie on Jun 14, 2008 at 01:32 PM
he was my cousin,my favorite cousin actually,i love him dearly and miss him lik hell,its not fair that he was taken away from us at such a young age.goin back to west virginia for tha reunions and to visit will never be the same without him there,its still hard to cope with and i think about him everyday.aunt lynn,uncle josh,mike and josh,my thoughts are with you and i love you all so very much,your in my prayers as is adam. i love you guys

Posted by: Amanda on May 31, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Only the good die young....

Posted by: Angie on May 31, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Coal miners are a special group of people. My family has been in the coal mining industry for generations, with the latest being my dad and brother who are also employed by ICG in Upshur County. My prayers go out to the Lanham family. I am from Randolph County but didn't know this young man.

Posted by: Heart Sick for the Lanham's on May 31, 2008 at 04:03 AM
God Bless this young man and his family & friends. I have a 23 yr old son and I just can't imagine my life without him!! My husband comes from a long line of coal miners and just to say bye to them as they're off to work for the day/night is rough and tough enough for no one knows what the day will bring.But they get up, go out there and never complain knowing all along they're doing it for their loved ones!! They truely are a special breed!!!!!! My condolences to the Lanham family and I will keep them all in my heart, thoughts and prayers as God helps them through this terrible time!

Posted by: big mamma on May 31, 2008 at 03:46 AM
Terrible thing to happen. Worse that his family was there and probably saw the whole thing.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen on May 30, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Very sad news to hear. My thoughts go out to the family.

Posted by: Friend on May 30, 2008 at 09:32 PM
May God be with the Lanhams. I grew up with these boys and went to school with the oldest two. Josh and Michael will need lots of prayers as will the rest of the family. These kind of accidents can be prevented. One of the hardest things to do is cope with the loss of a loved one, its very hard to understand it when it is a mining fatality. Please pray for these guys.

Posted by: Kathy P. on May 30, 2008 at 09:02 PM
My prayers are with the family. This is such a terrible tragedy. I really feel for the Lanham family. My grandfather was a coal miner too. All of them hold a special place in my heart. God Bless and help the family through this. I have an 18 year old son I can't imagine how I'd ever get through the pain of losing him. Pray for this family.

Posted by: megan on May 30, 2008 at 08:35 PM
That is so incredibly sad. That boy probably just graduated high school and was starting a new period in his life. His family is in my thoughts and prayers.

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