10 workers injured at 2 Ky. mines; probe launched

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — State and federal officials are investigating incidents at two Kentucky coal mines that injured a total of 10 workers.

Eight miners were hurt when a vehicle that carries workers into underground mine shafts malfunctioned Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing. The miners, who work for KenAmerican Resources, were riding the vehicle at Paradise Mine in Muhlenberg County.

A statement from KenAmerican said the most serious injury was a broken leg. Rob Murray, vice president of Cleveland-based Murray Energy, of which KenAmerican is a subsidiary, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the company would not have any further comment.

Murray Energy, owned by Bob Murray, attracted national attention in 2007 when nine people died in one of the company’s Utah mines.

Two other men were hurt Thursday evening at the F9 Prater Branch Mine in Floyd County when they were struck by a pickup truck rolling down a road. Harold Skaggs, 51, of Louisa, and 71-year-old Frank B. McCoart, of Van Lear, were airlifted to Cabell-Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va.

Reports said Skaggs, a foreman, was hurt after he got out of the truck and it struck him, and McCoart, who was operating a drill, was also struck by the vehicle. The two are contractors for Cleveland-based Austin Powder Company.