Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 29, 1995                   TAG: 9503290082
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS
DATELINE: APPALACHIA                                LENGTH: Short

CONTRACT WORKER KILLED AT STRIP MINE

The operator of a track-propelled loader died Tuesday morning when he stepped outside the machine and an embankment collapsed on him, burying him, said Mike Abbott, a spokesman for the Virginia Division of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

The operator's name was not released because it couldn't be determined if his next of kin had been notified, Abbott said.

Abbott said state safety officials were notified of the accident at 11:20 a.m. The accident occurred at Paramont Coal Co.'s Roaring Fork Mine No.44 about five miles northeast of Appalachia. The victim was an employee of Cleco Corp. of Rosedale in Russell County.

A truck driver discovered the accident. Mine employees dug the victim out, Abbott said. It has not been determined whether he died from suffocation or some other cause, Abbott said.

Keywords:
FATALITY

Memo: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.