West Virginia officials are investigating an underground mine death

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Officials in West Virginia were investigating the death of a coal miner at a Kanawha County mine on Friday.

Blackhawk Mining issued a statement on Thursday announcing the accident at the Coalburg Tunnel underground mine. The West Virginia Miner Health and Safety Authority identified the miner as Christopher L. Ball, 34, of Harts, West Virginia. The agency is investigating. He had not released any information about what happened as of Friday afternoon.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, issued a statement Friday saying he was “deeply saddened” by Ball’s death.

“We are asking all West Virginians to join us in praying for his wife Chelsea and three children at this devastating time,” Manchin said. “Every West Virginian and American is forever grateful to our brave miners who put their lives at risk every day to power our great nation.”