MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. — A Pike County coal miner with more than a half-century of experience was killed in a mining accident on Sunday.
William Mapes, 73, of Freeburn, died while working as a contractor for LSM Contracting at Central Appalachian Mining’s Grapevine South Surface Mine near Conley Fork, just across the Tug River from Kentucky.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced the death, but did not provide any details about the accident.
“Any time we lose a brave coal miner, it’s a tragedy beyond belief,” Gov. Justice said. “We should all be eternally grateful to Mr. Mapes for his 53 years as a coal miner, just as we should always be grateful to all coal miners across our state. Cathy and I will keep this man and his loved ones in our prayers and ask all West Virginians to join with us.”
The incident is the nation’s first coal mining death of the year.
