Coal Mine Fatality

**retiredteach** · August 20th, 2009, 12:22 PM

Heard a man from Big Stone was killed this morning at a mine accident in Roda. Pray for his family.

**R13** · August 20th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Seen it on the news earlier, tragic. Hate to hear something like this, his family is in my thoughts.
______________________
A mine accident took the life of an experienced coal miner this morning in Wise County.
Department of Mines, Mineral and Energy identified the miner as 58-year-old William Wayne Proffitt.
The incident happened around 6:30 at the Big Laurel Mining Corporation Number 2 just outside of Appalachia.
DMME officials tell us that the rib of the coal seam came loose and fell on him. We're told Parrott had been a coal miner for 33-years and was at that particular mine for the last 5 years as a repairman. State and federal agencies are investigating. The mine is owned by Cumberland Resources Corporation in Wise County.

WCYB - Mining Accident Kills One Man in Wise County, VA

**sup-rbeast** · August 20th, 2009, 02:10 PM

I've known Wayne and his family for years. I can honestly say I never left his presence without a smile on my face...he was that kind of guy. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and sons.

**Biggin** · August 20th, 2009, 02:39 PM

Bird was what I knew him by, and he was a great man with a wonderful sense of humor, always smiling and laughing.

i know his youngest son very well, we graduated together, and its very sad news, my thoughts are with the family.

its such a terrible situation, I can only hope that whatever happens never happens again.
RIP Bird, you lived life to the fullest.

but his wife, and two sons are in my thoughts, i can only hope they will be okay.

**Unchained** · August 20th, 2009, 03:14 PM

Thoughts and prayers are with his family. One of the things that is rough about this place,is if you want to make a living,you can go the route of spuds and his crew and go underground,or you can go my route and work at the bighouse. What other choices do folks have here? I have mad respect for those guys that put that hardhat on and go digging. May he RIP.

**simple man** · August 20th, 2009, 03:21 PM

Worked weekends and Bird was the weekday crew boss at Powell Mountain for a while. Crews overlapped on Mon and Thurs. My thoughts are with the family.

**1inStripes** · August 20th, 2009, 04:46 PM

My prayers are with the family. Anytime I hear of something going on in a mine it worries me for my father in law. Its a job I would have a hard time doing, and I respect those that do a ton.

**simple man** · August 23rd, 2009, 06:16 AM

Billy Byrd was a good, safe , smart miner- lets see how this is spun. Smart guy- he didn't do something stupid. , Sorry, still thinking about the guy.