A man died this past Monday afternoon in a coal-mining accident in Logan County.

49-year-old Brian D. Wallen suffered fatal injuries at the Mingo Logan Coal Company’s mine in Sharples. Wallen was an Assistant-Chief Electrician with 25-years of mining experience. West Virginia Governor, Jim Justice released the following statement:

“Cathy and I are deeply saddened to learn that we lost one of our West Virginia Coal Miners today. We should never take for granted the strength and courage of those who go underground to do the incredibly important work that it takes to power our communities, our state, and our nation with coal for electricity generation and for steel making. Our hearts ache for this brave man, his family, and the entire coal mining community for this terrible loss. I ask all West Virginians to join Cathy and I in praying for all his loved ones during this difficult time.”