W.Va. gov says ex-federal mine official to lead independent probe of blast that killed 29

Ex-fed official to probe fatal W.Va. mine blast

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Joe Manchin is asking a former top federal mine safety official to conduct an independent investigation of an explosion that killed 29 West Virginia miners.

Manchin told The Associated Press on Tuesday that J. Davitt McAteer will serve as his special adviser on issues involving the blast at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine. McAteer headed the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration during the Clinton administration.

His probe will be independent of separate investigations being done by state and federal officials.

McAteer also led a similar independent investigations after the Sago and Aracoma mine tragedies in 2006.

Manchin is also calling for stepped-up scrutiny of safety violations that may have played a role at Upper Big Branch.