Coal Miner Dies in Harlan Co.

FRANKFORT, Ky.   An early morning accident has claimed the life of a Harlan County coal miner. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet reports that the miner was repairing a canopy – the protective covering over a shuttle car – when the canopy collapsed around 5:40 a.m. Saturday.

It happened at the Timber Tree Mine, which is owned by Parton Brothers Mining. Officials have not yet identified the miner. His death marks the first mining fatality of 2012 in Kentucky.