The fourth coal miner this year has been killed in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A coal miner was killed on the job in West Virginia Friday night, Gov. Jim Justice said.

The Republican governor said Gary Chapman, 33, of South Williamson, Kentucky, died after being injured at the Mountaineer II mine near Sharples, West Virginia.

Justice expressed his condolences in a statement, saying Chapman and his family are in his prayers.

“When we lose a miner, it’s not just a loss to the community, it’s a loss to the entire state of West Virginia,” Justice said in a statement. “The loss of Mr. Chapman is a powerful reminder that we should always have deep gratitude for each of our coal miners. They are the ones who keep our nation going.”

At least eight U.S. coal miners died on the job in 2024, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Four of them died in West Virginia.

The incident is being investigated by the West Virginia Office of Mine Health, Safety and Training and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

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