Karimnagar: A 58-year-old Singareni coal mine worker died in a mine accident at RG-1 of the Open Cast-11 coal mine around 2am on Thursday in Godavarikhani of Peddapalli district.
The deceased was Ejjagiri Prathap, a resident of Pannur village in Ramgiri mandal. He was working as LHD (load, haul and dump) vehicle operator.
As per the first information report, Prathap accidentally came under the LHD vehicle which ran over his stomach, leaving him with serious injuries. His co-workers who noticed the mishap tried to rescue him, but Prathap died on the spot.
The police rushed to the spot and shifted the body to the Godavarikhani Singareni area hospital for post mortem. They started an investigation after registering the case.
Leaders of the coal worker unions alleged negligence of the SCCL officials. “They are running outdated vehicles and not taking up any repair work,” the leaders said.
“On several occasions, the workers took the issue to the notice of authorities, but the officials ignored their appeals and avoided taking up repairing works,” they said.
The unions sought stringent actions against the errant and proper financial support to the family of Pratap.
General manager of the RG-1 OC-11, Srinivas, said Prathap was the underground LHD operator. After going 2 metres deep into the coal mine, he stopped the vehicle after noticing some snag in the plastic tubes. To remove the hooks stuck in the plastic tubes to clear his way, he got down from the vehicle and parked it without applying brakes.”
“While he was trying to remove the hooks, the vehicle ran over him.”
About repairing works, Srinivas said SCCL will not allow vehicles into the coal mine if they are not in working condition. Operators are allowed to run the vehicles after a thorough check up every day, he said.
Some minor snags like leakages take place. When there is a major damage or need for repair of a vehicle, action will be swift, he said.
Chairman and managing director of SCCL, Balram Naik, paid a visit to the residence of Prathap and consoled the family members. He assured them of all help from SCCL.
