GRAFTON, W.Va. — The final report into the fatality at the Leer Mine near Grafton last September has been released by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.
The report said on On Sept. 28, 2024, Colton Walls, 34, of Bruceton Mills, was advancing longwall shields when a nylon rope and hook broke causing serious injuries. The MSHA report also said two longwall shields were connected to the nylon rope and hook sling and that Walls was working with when the accident happened.
The MSHA blames the accident on a lack of written instruction or training on the safe advancement of longwall shields. Mine officials have made changes to longwall procedures since the accident.
Walls had 14 years of mining experience and left behind a wife and three children.
Story by Mike Nolting, WAJR