Coal miner dies after incident at Barbour County mine

BARBOUR COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — A coal miner from West Virginia has died after an accident in a Barbour County mine.

Leonard Griffith, 52, of Valley Bend died about 4 a.m. Tuesday at the Wolf Run Mining LLC, Sentinel Mine, a spokeswoman for the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training said.

Investigators said Griffith, who was an electrician at the mine, died when when he was struck by a coal rib roll while working on a continuous mining machine.

Gov. Jim Justice's Office released a statement Tuesday from the governor and first lady Cathy Justice.

“News this morning that West Virginia has lost a member of our coal mining community is heartbreaking," the statement said. "Please join us as we pray for the family, friends and co-workers of Leonard W. Griffith.”