Underground miner killed in eastern Kentucky

WHITESBURG, Ky. – A foreman has been killed at an underground mine in eastern Kentucky in the third mine-related fatality in the state in 10 days.

Investigators say 47-year-old Jerry Britton was apparently struck by a piece of equipment Monday morning inside the Hubble Mining Company's No. 9 mine in Letcher County.

The miner from Pound, Va., was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It was the state's seventh mine-related death in 2011. It happened 10 days after two workers at a western Kentucky surface mine were crushed by falling rock and debris in their truck.

Hubble's No. 9 mine has had two accidents this year, including a July incident where a worker was injured by a hydraulic jack. The mine is closed pending an investigation.