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MOUNDSVILLE -- An accident at the Murray Energy's Cameron portal in Marshall County on Monday killed a 21-year-old coal miner.
Raymond Starkey of New Martinsville was identified today as the man killed in the mine, although how the accident occurred remains under investigation.
"We ask all West Virginians to join us in praying for Raymond's family, his friends, and the entire coal mining community," Gov. Jim Justice said in a statement today. "This is especially devastating news to learn on Christmas Eve, but we know that West Virginians will come together during this tragedy and surround his family with love and support."
United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil Roberts also said in a statement today that the "hearts and prayers of the entire UMWA" are with Starkey's family.
"Our safety experts are on the scene, working with the UMWA Local Union 1638 Safety Committee, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, and the company to determine exactly what happened," Roberts said in the statement.
"We will not rest until we know the circumstances of Brother Starkey's death, so that we can prevent something like this from ever happening again," he added. "I ask every mining family, indeed every American family, to lift up the Starkey family in your prayers this holiday season."
Marshall County Emergency Management Director Tom Hart said a 911 call came in from the mine shortly before 4:30 p.m., and Starkey was transported by ambulance to Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale, where he was pronounced dead.
Hart said the cause of the accident remains under investigation, which is being led by state and federal mine safety officials.
Justice said Eugene White, director of the state Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training is at the scene of the mine.
Murray Energy had not released any information on the accident as of press time.