Haul/Off Road/Coal/Ore/Pit/Quarry/Rock/Rubber Tire Truck Driver fatality at Ellangowan Bank #45 (Reading Anthracite Company), PA, January 29, 2024

Truck driver was found unresponsive in the cab of EE's overturned truck at the bottom of the feed ramp drop off. There were no witnesses to the accident. Investigation is still pending.

On January 29, 2024, at 4:17 a.m., David Moyer, a 63 year-old haul truck driver with over 13 years of mining experience, died when the haul truck he was operating backed over the end of the feed bank and overturned. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) examine the feed bank before miners began working, 2) provide illumination at the feed bank, 3) provide a means to prevent overtravel and overturning at the dumping location, 4) follow their Ground Control Plan, and 5) ensure the haul truck driver was wearing the seat belt.

1. The mine operator did not examine the feed bank before miners began working.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a new ground control plan with a procedure requiring examinations prior to and throughout the shift. The mine operator retrained the miners on their new ground control plan.

2. The mine operator did not provide illumination at the feed bank.

   Corrective action: The mine operator placed portable light plants at the feed bank to provide illumination.

3. The mine operator did not provide a means to prevent overtravel and overturning at the dumping location.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented through their new ground control plan the requirement to maintain a berm on the feed bank to prevent over travel and overturning. The mine operator retrained the miners on their new ground control plan.

4. The mine operator did not follow their Ground Control Plan.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a new ground control plan with additional safety precautions for the feed bank. The mine operator trained the miners on their new ground control plan.

5. The mine operator did not ensure the haul truck driver was wearing the seat belt.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has retrained all miners on the use of seat belts.

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

CULM BANK/REFUSE PILE

Accident type

Struck against a moving object

Source of injury

HGHWY ORE CARIER,LRGE TRK

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

13 years

Experience at this mine

11 years

Experience in this job

13 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY

Related fatalities