A coal miner killed on the job in West Virginia is the 10th in US this year, surpassing 2023 total

A coal miner has died nearly a week after being injured on the job in northern West Virginia

GRAFTON, W.Va. — A coal miner died Friday, nearly a week after being injured on the job in northern West Virginia, officials said.

Colton Walls, 34, of Bruceton Mills, was injured while working as a longwall electrician at the underground Leer Mining Complex operated by Arch Resources in Grafton, Gov. Jim Justice said in a statement. According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, the incident happened Sept. 28.

Walls is survived by his wife, Jonda, and three children, Justice said.

“The heart and soul of West Virginia are found in our coal miners, and today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” the governor said.

The statement did not disclose further details about the accident, which is under investigation by MSHA and the state Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training.

It was the fifth reported coal fatality of the year in West Virginia and the 10th nationally, according to MSHA. There were nine such U.S. deaths last year.

In August, Arch Resources and Consol Energy announced they are combining to form a single coal producer valued at more than $5 billion, marking the latest consolidation in a deal-happy energy sector.

Read More

  • Related Posts

    One killed in ‘riot’ in Iraq’s Erbil after attack on Khor Mor gas field

    Kurdish authorities say one killed, several wounded in riots in Erbil’s Gwer, as authorities try to restore power after attack on Khor Mor. A group of “rioters” have opened fire…

    I was almost killed in Australia’s tobacco wars, ex-criminal turned journalist Ryan Naumenko reveals

    Speaking exclusively to The Trial Australia podcast, former criminal turned journalist Ryan Naumenko revealed how his insider coverage of Melbourne‘s tobacco wars nearly cost him his life. The tobacco wars…

    You Missed

    Denmark scraps letters: Postal service will stop delivering mail due to fall in demand

    • By poster
    • December 13, 2025
    • 2 views
    Denmark scraps letters: Postal service will stop delivering mail due to fall in demand

    Sydney CBD traffic grinds to a halt after e-bike rider dies in crash with garbage truck

    • By poster
    • December 13, 2025
    • 2 views
    Sydney CBD traffic grinds to a halt after e-bike rider dies in crash with garbage truck

    Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reveals extraordinary travel ban on ‘EVERY country flooding US with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies’

    • By poster
    • December 13, 2025
    • 2 views
    Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reveals extraordinary travel ban on ‘EVERY country flooding US with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies’

    Town set to host 600 asylum seekers spends £450,000 on Pooh’s birthday

    • By poster
    • December 13, 2025
    • 2 views
    Town set to host 600 asylum seekers spends £450,000 on Pooh’s birthday

    Will scapegoated OBR chief wield the knife on Reeves? Richard Hughes ‘knows where bodies are buried’ as Chancellor fights to cling on over Budget lies

    • By poster
    • December 13, 2025
    • 2 views
    Will scapegoated OBR chief wield the knife on Reeves? Richard Hughes ‘knows where bodies are buried’ as Chancellor fights to cling on over Budget lies

    Mom and stepfather accused of murdering pregnant daughter found in remote woods: ‘Evil personified’

    • By poster
    • December 12, 2025
    • 3 views
    Mom and stepfather accused of murdering pregnant daughter found in remote woods: ‘Evil personified’