Scoop Tram Operator

Employee was driving a 70 ton CAT 775E haul truck equipped with reverse sonar. Evidence shows the employee backed through a berm approx. 4 ft high and down a slope that was 70 ft. high. The truck came to rest in an area of water spprox. 15 ft. deep. Employee was pronounced deceased on scene by medical emergency personnel.

Blaine Kirk Linck, Haul Truck Driver, age 54, was fatally injured on March 8, 2016. Mr. Linck was operating a haul truck when it traveled beyond the dump site berm and down a slope, about 80 feet, coming to rest in 14 feet of water. The accident occurred because mine management failed to ensure that the victim maintained control of the truck he was operating at all times and failed to ensure that the victim was wearing a seat belt. Services. Linck was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics. Cause of death was attributed to drowning. Manner of death was accidental.

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

Drowning

Source of injury

WATER

Nature of injury

SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN

Body part affected

BODY SYSTEMS

Total mining experience

5 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY