Two miners are dead after another tragedy at a West Virginia coal mine. It happened at the Brooks Run Mining's Cucumber Mine in McDowell County, W.Va.
The news came just weeks after the nation remembered the one year anniversary of the Sago Mine disaster.
The accident marked the first mining deaths of 2007. Officials said the miners were trapped and killed around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, while working to remove pillars of coal.
Investigators are still working to determine whether it was one of the pillars or the roof that collapsed.
Local lawmakers said it's eerily tragic news so soon after the governor's State of the State address, where mine safety was a key issue.
"No matter what, it's a horrible tragedy but if we find that it's something that could have been prevented, then maybe we can act quickly and make sure that no other families have to go through it in the future," said Majority Leader Joe DeLong (D).
The mine safety legislation recently passed by lawmakers has been geared toward quicker response, and may not have necessarily helped in this case. DeLong said more measures need to be taken.
"Number one, there has to be more mining inspectors on the job and more inspections taking place. But it also comes down to enforcement. When there's a violation, to make sure there's enforcement, to make sure the companies are doing the things they need to do to ensure workplace safety," said DeLong.
An investigation is under way at the Cucumber Mine and officials are waiting to release the names of the victims until they've spent time with the families.
