DAHLGREN – The Mine, Safety and Health Administration has released a preliminary report into the accident that claimed a West Frankfort man’s life last Saturday at the Hamilton County Coal, LLC facility in Dahlgren.

According to the report, 41-year-old Cameron R. Fourez died when a section of roof fell while he and other miners were building cribs during the recovery of longwall shields underground. This happened just after 2 a.m. Saturday.

Co-workers reached Fourez and attempted resuscitation while transporting him to the surface of the mine. Unfortunately, Fourez was pronounced dead just over an hour later at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. An autopsy showed Fourez died from closed chest injuries.

Fourez’s regular job title was Roof Bolter. He had just over 8 years of mining experience and has worked at the Hamilton County Coal facility for about a year and a half.

The report says 82 people were working at the mine at the time of the accident. The mining height was 8 feet, 10 inches.

Funeral services for Fourez will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort. Burial will be in the Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service.