A Hopkins County coal miner is dead after being struck by a coal scoop Tuesday.
Philip Ramsey, 58, of Madisonville was killed at the Cardinal Mine in Madisonville where he worked, according to a release from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. He clocked in at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, was hit by the scoop at approximately 8:30 p.m., and was pronounced dead at Baptist Health Madisonville shortly after.
“This man’s death is especially tragic as this is the second miner that we have lost within a week,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in a statement. “Please join me in expressing my deep condolences to his family, friends and community.”
The Kentucky Department of Natural Resources Division of Mine Safety is investigating the incident. All operations at the mine are suspended while the investigation progresses.
“Our sympathy goes out to Mr. Ramsey’s family for his untimely loss,” Kentucky Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman said. “The cabinet works daily to keep miners safe through training and inspections and when accidents like this happen, we look carefully at what happened and how it could have been prevented. We will work with the Cardinal mine to do just that.”