Zachary Wolfe, of Rices Landing, Greene County, Pennsylvania worker killed in mining accident at Bailey Mine in Aleppo Township, Pennsylvania after falling rock crashed on work-site as investigation into cause of tragedy is now investigated.
A Pennsylvania man was killed by falling rock in a coal mine accident Tuesday night.
Zachary Wolfe, 34, of Rices Landing, died at the Bailey Mine in Aleppo Township, Greene County, the Greene County Coroner’s Office said in a statement Wednesday.
An investigation by Pennsylvania State Police determined Wolfe, a married father of two was fatally injured after being crushed by 1,000 pounds of rock.
Greene County mine worker killed by falling rock
The accident occurred about 700 feet underground, where a rib failure occurred on a sidewall while Wolfe was putting up roof supports, just on 10 p.m, said Trooper Kalee Barnhart.
Wolfe was pronounced dead at 11:39 p.m., the coroner’s office said according to KDKA.
Greene County Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Policz said EMS services and the New Freeport Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.
Two other miners were injured in the incident. One man suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. A woman injured her arm and was transported to Ruby by ambulance.
The coroner’s office had yet to determine the cause and manner of death. State police said in a statement the incident remains under investigation.
Not immediately clear is what safety measures were in place and whether adhered.
Coal mining remains Pennsylvania staple despite it being dangerous vocation
Mining remains one of the most dangerous jobs in western Pennsylvania, as coal continues to be an ongoing industry mainstay.
A regard of Wolfe’s Facebook page revealed him having studied mining engineering at Penn State.
In a statement, mine owner Core Natural Resources of Canonsburg, Pa., said it is working with state and federal officials to find out what caused the accident.
‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that we lost a member of our Core family during an incident underground at our Bailey mine,’ the company said in the release. ‘Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathies are with the individual’s family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.’
