Water pumping continues in effort to save Nicholas County mine worker

DRENNEN, W.Va. (WOWK) — West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey provided an update Monday evening on the efforts of emergency crews working to rescue a mine worker that was trapped at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County on Saturday.

The mine worker, who officials say has 20 years of experience, was trapped after miners struck an unknown pocket of water, which quickly rushed the section. He is said to be around 3,600 feet underground.

Gov. Morrisey said in a post on X that rescue operations are continuing around the clock, and after days of pumping water, there is about 2.7 million gallons remaining in the flooded area before rescuers can safely enter.

“As pumping operations continue, Alpha [Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.] is partnering with outside companies to drill from the surface to create additional access points where a capsule drill could be utilized as a means of rescue. While estimates from setup and completion vary for each method, using both approaches together offers the clearest path to success,” Gov. Morrisey said.

The miner, who has not been identified, is believed to be in complete darkness after his light likely went out sometime Sunday.