Rescuers have found the body of a West Virginia coal miner who had been trapped in a flooded mine for four days, according to officials who released the information on Thursday.
Governor Patrick Morrissey identified the miner as Stephen Lipscomb, 42, a married father of two and a veteran of the Marine Corps. His body was discovered at the Rolling Thunder mine early Thursday morning.
Alpha Metallurgical Resources, the mine’s owner, confirmed Lipscomb’s death. They expressed their sorrow, stating that he had joined the company in 2006 and was regarded as a dedicated employee and respected leader. CEO Andy Eidson mentioned, “His efforts to ensure the safety of our crew were heroic,” offering condolences to his family and all who knew him.
Eidson noted that Lipscomb was last seen trying to help his coworkers escape as the crew encountered unexpected flooding.
Efforts to rescue Lipscomb included pumping out 6,000 gallons of water per minute to drain the flooded mine, which was situated almost three-quarters of a mile underground.
Homeland Security from Nicholas County had also prepared an underwater drone, intended to locate Lipscomb once enough water was removed.
In a recent speech, Morrissey praised the rescue team’s determination, highlighting their hard work and teamwork as a reflection of West Virginia’s spirit. He remarked that mining embodies a brotherhood and pride in the community. “When tragedy strikes, we unite as one West Virginia family,” he stated.
Sadly, Lipscomb is the second miner to die on the job in West Virginia this month. Earlier, a young scoop operator named Joey Mitchell Jr., aged 25, was killed in a separate incident, which also left another worker injured.
