MHSA releases final report about the death of Wyoming County coal miner

WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS) — The final report was released by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA) regarding the death of a coal miner in Wyoming County in May 2024.

On the morning of Thursday, May 16, 2024, 59-year-old Virgil Paynter, of Lynco, was fatally injured while using an excavator while at the CM Energy Operations LP Surface Mine in Wyoming County. Paynter’s death was the first 2024 West Virginia coal miner death.

According to the report, Paynter, who was a contract excavator operator with ten weeks of mining experience, was operating an excavator at around 2:15 a.m. when the excavator went over a highwall.

The excavator reportedly fell 235 feet before it ended up in the pit below on top of spoil material. Paynter died after he was ejected from the cab of the excavator in the fall.

The report stated that the accident was the result of a Ground Control Plan to ensure safe working conditions not being created or followed by the mine operator.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.