Feds cite owners of Ky. coal mine where collapse killed 2 for not adequately supporting roof

Feds cite coal mine owners in fatal Ky. collapse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Federal regulators have cited the owner of a Kentucky coal mine after concluding that an unsupported roof caused a “massive section” to collapse and kill two workers.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration issued its report Friday on the April 28 accident at the Dotiki mine that killed 27-year-old Justin Travis and 28-year-old Michael Carter.

The report says the collapse could not have been foreseen but that Tulsa, Okla.-based Allied Resource Partners should have taken more steps to support the roof.

Company vice president Kenny Murray said in a statement that because the collapse wasn’t foreseeable, the citation is unjustified.

MSHA spokeswoman Amy Louviere said the company will be fined later, but must first be allowed to contest the citation.