Feds blame low oxygen for Ala. mine death

[SidDithers]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjNziZ9Ie4eu8MXdytxwioijUg3gD9C69UO03

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Low oxygen levels likely caused the death of a coal miner in a west Alabama mine where several others were overcome during a rescue attempt, federal mine safety officials said Tuesday.

James Chaney, 53, of Berry, was killed. He and Milton Etheridge, 59, of McCalla, entered an area with low oxygen levels early Tuesday when they were inspecting the Jim Walter No. 7 mine near Brookwood, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said.

They were found by a foreman after failing to report with a call as they normally would, according to the administration and a spokesman for mine owner Jim Walter Resources of Tampa, Fla.

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Overall, the mine has a normal safety record, with 17 accidents in the first quarter, 15 in the second and 24 in the third. By most standards, the No. 7 is a large underground mine. Records show it employs 703 people and produced 2.85 million tons of coal in 2008.

At least it's not a nuke plant leaky pipe.

Sid