FAIRVIEW, W.Va. (AP) — A mechanic at a West Virginia mine was killed while trying to help a truck driver position a trailer, an investigation into the death found.
James Campbell, 50, was working at the Federal No. 2 coal mine in Fairview on Feb. 27 when he was hit by the trailer and died at a hospital, according to a preliminary accident report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Campbell was standing in front of the trailer wheels when the truck driver moved it forward and caused the wheels to hit him, the report said.
In the report, the federal agency highlighted the importance of communication. It said best practices include communicating planned movements and verifying the information was received and understood, sounding a horn before moving and wearing high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
