Poor communication faulted in Black Thunder mine accident

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Apr 7, 2008 at 8:45 PM MDT

Story Updated: Apr 7, 2008 at 8:45 PM MDT

GILLETTE, WYOMING - A federal report blamed poor communication for a December bulldozer accident at the Black Thunder mine that injured a worker.

Forty-four-year-old Clair "Bryon" Christy of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, remains unconscious at a Denver hospital. He was driving a bulldozer up a temporary ramp on December 24th when the ramp gave way, causing the dozer to roll over.

A report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration says the mine failed to communicate that the ramp was closed. A spokesman for mine owner Arch Coal declined to comment on the report.

The mine has been fined more than $4,600 for violating a standard for the proper construction and maintenance of ramps. The report says the mine has also implemented new safety rules for dig faces, including a requirement that inactive ramps be walled off with mounds of dirt.

Monday, May 12 at 1:22 PM Lacie Christy wrote ...

Just a word of thanks to all those that have prayed for our family and helped us during this ever so difficult time we have been going through. We can't express hoe much we appreciate everything.

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