WILLIAMSON, W.Va. (AP) — A man reported missing more than a week ago was found alive in a closed West Virginia mine, state officials said Friday.
The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training said the man was found in a Mingo County mine, where he apparently became lost after trespassing. The location was the former Isaban Deep Mine #3, the agency said in a news release.
Timothy Kennedy, 26, was reported missing April 9 by a family member. An investigation led to the Gilbert-area mine, which last produced coal in 2011, the agency said.
Official from the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training; West Virginia State Police; Southern Pocahontas Mine Rescue Team; and U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration took part in the search and rescue. Kennedy was located more than a half-mile from the mine entrance and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Further information about his condition was not immediately available.
The state cited the miner owner, Frasier Creek Mining, on March 9 for failure to barricade openings to the mine.