GRAFTON, W.Va. — The final report into the fatality at the Leer Mine near Grafton in September of 2024 has been released by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The report said on On Sept. 28, 2024, Colton Walls, 34, of Bruceton Mills, was advancing longwall shields when a nylon rope and hook broke causing serious injuries. The MSHA report also said two longwall shields were connected to the nylon rope and hook sling and that Walls was working with when the accident happened.
The MSHA blames the report on alack of written instruction or training on the safe advancement of longwall shields. Mine officals have made changes to longwall procedures since the accident.
Walls had 14 years of mining experience and leaves behind a wife and three children.