Cambria Man Killed in Indiana Mining Accident

An experienced coal miner died early Friday morning in an underground coal mining accident in Buffington Township, Indiana County.

William D. Pardee, 62, of Elder Township, Cambria County, suffered extensive injuries to his chest and abdomen after becoming pinned between a piece of equipment and a mine wall at the Nolo Mine, Indiana County Coroner Mike Baker said in a news release.

Pardee, a miner for 38 years, was trying to move a feeder machine near a beltway when the accident happened before 4 a.m., Baker said.

Mine officials told Baker that when Pardee started the machine, it apparently already was in gear, leading to his being pinned immediately against the wall.

Pardee was brought to the surface by fellow miners, but did not respond to emergency medical treatment.

Baker said an autopsy is scheduled for this morning at Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown to determine the cause of death, but the coroner is ruling the death an accident.

Nolo Mine is owned by Amfire Manufacturing, of Latrobe.

Originally published by The Tribune-Review.

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