Published: April 24, 2007 11:57 am      

Investigation of fatal mine accident under way

BARTON - Investigation into the cause of last week's high wall collapse that claimed the lives of two miners at the Tri-Star Mining site on Michael Road has begun.

Dirk Fillpot, spokesman for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, said Monday that the formal investigation by the agency has been initiated to determine the cause of the accident that claimed the lives of 51-year-old Dale Jones of Lonaconing and 38-year-old Mike Wilt of Frostburg.

"We evaluate all aspects of the mine accident, and that includes potential causes and compliance with our federal health and safety standards," said Amy Louviere, MSHA spokeswoman who was at the site during last week's miner rescue operation.

"The team will examine the accident site, they will interview mine personnel and anyone who might have relevant information. They will review records and plans and inspect any mining equipment that may have been in use."

Both men were working at the strip mine site operating heavy equipment when a wall measuring up to 125 feet high collapsed, submerging the men and equipment in thousands of tons of earthen materials. The men were believed to have died instantly when the accident occurred, according to mine safety officials.

The accident occurred at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, prompting a three-day, round-the-clock rescue mission that ended Friday with the discoveries of the victims inside their equipment.

Autopsies were performed by the Maryland State Medical Examiner's Office as part of the investigation.

A Tri-Star Mining Inc. spokesman declined to comment when contacted Monday by the Times-News.

Louviere said that once the investigation is complete, the agency will issue a report summarizing its findings and conclusions, which will identify the root causes of the accident.

"If there are any violations that contributed, they will be cited and they will have to pay a fine," she said in reference to Tri-Star. Although in many investigations that is the case, Louviere said that every investigation is different.

The final report will depend on the complexity of the investigation. "Some take weeks, some take months," she said. A high-profile mining accident investigation can take up to a year to complete.

Funeral services for Jones are scheduled today at 11 a.m. at the Eichhorn-McKenzie Funeral Home in Lonaconing. Services for Wilt are scheduled at the same time at the Eichhorn-McKenzie Funeral Home in Midland.