Haul/Off Road/Coal/Ore/Pit/Quarry/Rock/Rubber Tire Truck Driver

Haul truck driver was going to pit to get loaded, traveled over berm, truck landed on cab in water

On August 25, 2025, at 7:20 a.m., Ethan Amberger, a 26-year-old haul truck operator with over 6 years of mining experience, died when the haul truck he was operating drove over a berm on the pit ramp, fell 39 feet, and landed with its cab submerged in water. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) ensure that operators of self-propelled mobile equipment maintain control of the equipment while it is in motion, 2) ensure that seat belts were worn in haul trucks, 3) provide signs warning of hazardous conditions on the pit ramp, and 4) construct a berm along an elevated roadway capable of moderating or limiting the force of the haul truck with regard to traveling over the bank of the roadway.

1. The mine operator did not ensure that operators of self-propelled mobile equipment maintained control of the equipment while it is in motion.

   Corrective action: The mine operator held training on maintaining control of mobile equipment along with updating company policy.

2. The mine operator did not ensure that seat belts were being worn in haulage trucks.

   Corrective action: The mine operator held training on the use of seat belts along with updating company policy.

3. The mine operator did not provide signs warning of hazardous conditions on the pit ramp.

   Corrective action: The mine operator installed signs for reduced speed, steepness, and curve in haul road.

4. The mine operator did not construct a berm along an elevated roadway capable of moderating or limiting the force of the haul truck with regard to traveling over the bank of the roadway.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has reshaped the berms of the pit ramp roadway to have a steeper berm.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Haulage Or Dump Truck

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck against a moving object

Source of injury

HGHWY ORE CARIER,LRGE TRK

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

6 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

6 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY