A miner was killed on the job in northern West Virginia earlier this week, Governor Jim Justice announced Friday.
William “Joe” Crandall was killed Monday in an accident at Arch Resources ACI Tygart Valley Mine in Taylor County, West Virginia. Crandall is the second worker to die in a mining accident in the coal-producing state in the last month.
A 33-year-old woman died in July from injuries sustained at the Wyco Surface Mine near the Raleigh-Wyoming county border.
“It’s certainly honorable, but it’s a tough business, and we should show our miners as much respect and gratitude every day,” Justice said at a news conference on Friday, adding: “Joe Crandall died trying to make your life and mine better. We should always remember that. Please pray for him.”
According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, Monday’s accident involved motor transport vehicles or equipment such as distribution trucks, excavators, locomotives and front loaders.
“In my opinion, we have lost a hero,” Justice said.
Independent U.S. Senator Joe Manchin also issued a statement on Friday saying he was praying for Crandall’s family: “His courage will never be forgotten,” Manchin said.
According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, this is the sixth death this year nationwide and the third in West Virginia.
