Emmons, a 37-year-old longwall tailgate shearer operator at Oxbow Mining's Sanborn Creek Mine, was killed December 4 when he was struck in the head and face by a high pressure hydraulic hose. Emmons had 13 years mining experience at several mines in the area, including Deserado Mine and Twentymile Coal Co.'s Foidel Creek Mine.

Don McGovern, another miner in the area of the accident, received minor injuries.

The accident happened during production in the morning hours when a hydraulic hose under 4,500 pounds per square inch of pressure broke at a joint, sending a 15-foot section of hose with 15 pounds of couplings on the end flying into the walkway.

"Tommy was a safe worker, never one to take chances," said Hinkle. "They always find out what's wrong after the guy's dead." In this case the 15-foot section of hose should have been secured so it could not whip freely in case of a hose or coupling failure.

Emmons is the 34th coal miner to be killed on the job in 2000. Last year at this time 31 fatalities were reported. This is also the 10th fatality this year classified as machinery, whereas last year at this time there were only four in this category.

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) investigators were expected this week from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Utah to start an investigation into the accident. The Sanborn Creek Mine was shut down for several days, but has since resumed operations even though the MSHA report could take a month to complete.

At the Willow Creek mine in Utah, where two miners were killed in a fire in July, the MSHA investigation is still pending. A total of 319 miners have been laid off since the accident which led to the sealing of the mine.

Elyse Hathaway is an underground miner in Colorado.  
 
 
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