On Thursday April 2, 2026 at the Panther Eagle Horse Creek Mine operated by Panther Creek Mining LLC in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 53-year-old Aaron Warrix of Chapmanville was fatally struck by a piece of rock while performing his duties as a shuttle car operator underground. Warrix had been employed at the mine for approximately four and a half years and was known among coworkers as dedicated and reliable.
The incident happened during regular operations inside the underground coal mine prompting an immediate response from mine rescue teams and emergency services. Warrix was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead from his injuries. No other miners were injured in the accident that unfolded at the Panther Eagle Horse Creek Mine in Raleigh County.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training have launched a joint investigation into the fatal rock fall at the Panther Eagle Horse Creek Mine. The agency has placed the mine on a pattern of violations status in recent years for repeated safety infractions.
The exact sequence of events leading up to the rock fall is still under review with no immediate determination of contributing factors released. The mine is an underground coal operation in Raleigh County that has faced scrutiny for safety violations in the past. The accident has drawn renewed attention to working conditions in West Virginia’s coal mines.
Aaron Warrix was remembered by family and coworkers as a dedicated father and husband whose sudden death has left a profound void in the Chapmanville and Raleigh County communities. He was a longtime resident of Logan County with strong ties to the mining industry where he had built a career over many years. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of support for his loved ones during this difficult time in the region.
The Raleigh County community has rallied in mourning with tributes emphasizing Aaron Warrix’s role as a familiar and valued miner in the area. Family and friends have begun sharing memories while local networks offer assistance during this difficult time. The crash on the mine property has prompted reflections on safety protocols and the risks faced by those working underground in this part of West Virginia.
The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training and MSHA are coordinating the investigation into the April 2 accident at the Panther Eagle Horse Creek Mine urging anyone with information to contact authorities. The case remains active as officials work to provide clarity for the family while the community in Raleigh County processes the loss. The focus remains on supporting mental health initiatives and improving responses to similar tragedies in the mining region.
Anyone with information related to the events at the Panther Eagle Horse Creek Mine on April 2 is encouraged to contact the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training or MSHA. The investigation remains open as authorities review evidence from the underground location in Raleigh County. The community in Chapmanville and Raleigh County continues to honor the memory of Aaron Warrix while the probe advances into the fatal rock fall that occurred on April 2 2026 at the mine.
