KERMIT, W.Va. -- A machine operator was crushed by falling rock and killed inside a Norfolk Southern railroad tunnel Thursday morning.

The victim's name has not been released, but Sue Barazi with the Charleston office of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration says he worked for Johnson Western Gunite Construction.

The Kermit Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the tunnel on the Wayne-Mingo county line at about 5 a.m. Thursday.

Norfolk Southern spokesman Robin Chapman said crews were working to raise the tunnel's roof to accommodate double-stacked rail cars.

Chapman said the tunnel was expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Thursday. He said at least 19 freight trains were parked in railyards in Roanoke, Va.; Portsmouth, Ohio; and elsewhere after the accident.

 

 

KERMIT, W.Va. -- A machine operator was crushed by falling rock and killed inside a Norfolk Southern railroad tunnel Thursday morning.

The victim's name has not been released, but Sue Barazi with the Charleston office of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration says he worked for Johnson Western Gunite Construction.

The Kermit Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the tunnel on the Wayne-Mingo county line at about 5 a.m. Thursday.

Norfolk Southern spokesman Robin Chapman said crews were working to raise the tunnel's roof to accommodate double-stacked rail cars.

Chapman said the tunnel was expected to reopen by 9 p.m. Thursday. He said at least 19 freight trains were parked in railyards in Roanoke, Va.; Portsmouth, Ohio; and elsewhere after the accident.