UPDATE:

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin plans to issue an executive order this afternoon calling for a “safety stand down” at the state’s coal mines. See this story on the Gazette’s website for more information

Here’s the news in this morning from the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training:

Shuttle Car Operator John Myles, 44, of Hilltop, W.Va., died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, from injuries he received while working at Pocahontas Coal Mine’s Affinity Mine in Raleigh County.

 Mr. Myles had a total of four year’s experience as a miner, and had worked at this mine for one year and two months prior to last night’s accident. Mr. Myles was hit by a scoop as he shoveled coal ribs. The accident happened at approximately 8 p.m.

This is the second death at the Affinity Mine in the last two weeks.  Edward L. Finney, 43, of Bluefield, Va., was killed in a hoisting accident on Feb. 7 (see here and here). And it’s also the 4th coal-mining death in West Virginia in the last two weeks.

Pocahontas Coal is controlled by Metinvest B.V., Ukraine-based holding company with mining and steel assets.