WHITESVILLE — Two West Virginia coal miners died in separate incidents less than 24 hours apart at mines that have accumulated dozens of federal safety citations this year, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
One miner died Thursday evening in Raleigh County, while another died Friday morning in Marshall County.
In Raleigh County, 53-year-old Aaron Warrix of Chapmanville died shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday at the Horse Creek Eagle Mine, identified by federal regulators as Panther Eagle Mine. Warrix was struck by a rock while working underground, according to Alpha Metallurgical Resources.
Warrix worked as a shuttle car operator for Marfork Coal Co., a subsidiary of Alpha Metallurgical Resources, and had been employed there for more than four years.
The second fatal incident occurred Friday morning at a mine in Marshall County.
MSHA and state investigators are examining both incidents.