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Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 7:00 a.m.

Posted: 4:18 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2013

Worker crushed to death at southern W.Va. mine

By The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —



West Virginia regulators have identified a coal miner who was killed in Raleigh County.

   
Department of Commerce spokeswoman Leslie Fitzwater says 43-year-old Edward L. Finney of Bluefield, Va., died of injuries from an accident Thursday night at Pocahontas Coal Co.'s Affinity Mine.

   
The federal Mine Safety Health Administration says the miner was pushing a scoop bucket insert full of trash onto a hoist when the hoist moved unexpectedly. The preliminary investigation suggests the hoist picked up the scoop and trapped the victim underneath.

   
It's the second equipment-related death this week.

   
On Wednesday, 34-year-old Brandon Townsend of Delbarton died when a hydraulic jack exploded on a belt press at Midland Trail Energy's Blue Creek preparation plant in Kanawha County. Another worker was injured.

   
Investigations into both deaths are under way.

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