NICHOLAS COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — SUNDAY EVENING UPDATE
Crews continue to work on a search-and-rescue mission for a miner who is still unaccounted for after the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County flooded on Saturday afternoon.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection said it has issued necessary emergency approvals to support ongoing efforts to remove water from the mine. These authorizations include pumping and bore-hole drilling.
WVDEP said the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training and the West Virginia State Police are leading the response. It also said it is closely coordinating with WVOMHST and WVSP to ensure any additional approvals needed can be expedited.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey gave an update on the rescue mission on X just before 7:30 p.m., saying that dive teams have entered the mine twice during the search. He also said that crews are continuing to focus on lowering the water levels and improving air quality to make deeper exploration possible.
“All responding agencies remain fully engaged and in constant coordination, and the safety of all personnel remains the highest priority,” Morrisey said in part.
Morrisey said that drilling is ongoing and additional equipment has been mobilized in using every effort to rescue the miner. He said that crews remain committed to rescuing the miner as the operation enters a second night.
Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole later said a third diving exploration is underway to locate the miner, who is said to be the foreman of the 18-man crew and got trapped behind while ensuring the rest of his crew got out safely.
Cole also stated that the air and water is between 50-55 degrees, meaning the miner is less likely to suffer hypothermia but would be focused on getting dry and keeping an air pocket in the mine at all times.
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Search efforts are still ongoing Sunday for a miner who remains unaccounted for following a flooding incident at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County.
County commissioner Garrett Cole said mine crews struck an unknown pocket of water about 1:30 p.m. Saturday which flooded the mine. All other miners that were working in the area have been accounted for.
Cole said officials believe the missing miner is three-quarters of a mile into the mine, but they’re unsure how much water remains in the mine and how long it may take to pump enough water out to get there. Crews began pumping water about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Nicholas County Homeland Security is on standby with underwater drone technology once it is confirmed the remaining water “distance” is within range of the underwater drone’s capability which can help locate the miner and possibly establish communication, Cole said.
A statement from Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office said the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training is coordinating with mine safety officials, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia State Police, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and local emergency responders.
National cave rescue workers are also assisting in the effort.
ORIGINAL STORY
Law enforcement in Nicholas County confirm a miner is unaccounted for after an accident Saturday at the Rolling Thunder Mine near Drennen along the Nicholas-Clay County line.
West Virginia State Police said the incident happened around 1 p.m. when flooding was reported inside the mine. All other miners have been safely located and accounted for.
Search and rescue teams remain at the scene working to locate the missing miner. The person’s identity wasn’t immediately released.
The story will be updated when more details become available.
