Probe Launched After Miner Killed in Accident at Work

The Health and Safety Executive has started an inquiry after a coal miner was killed in an underground work accident.

Paul Milner, of Church Warsop, died in hospital after a shaft collapsed at Welbeck Colliery in Nottinghamshire.

The 44-year-old was trapped by rocks when the roof caved in.

A team from the Mansfield Mines Rescue Station went to his aid, and he was taken to hospital, but he later died from his injuries.

A spokesman for UK Coal, which operates the site, said Mr Milner and three other men were removing a hydraulic support shaft from an old coal seam when the accident happened.

He added: "Mr Milner was an experienced and much respected mine worker who had worked in the industry for 27 years.

"Our sincere sympathy goes out to his family and friends and gratitude to mining, medical and rescue services who rendered assistance working tirelessly in difficult conditions in their efforts to save Mr Milner."

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David Urpeth, a Partner at law firm Irwin Mitchell commented:

This tragic accident at work demonstrates the terrible consequences that occur when things go wrong in the workplace. I deal with many cases which involve injuries or death caused by falls or falling objects.