Tornado Causes Injuries at Wyoming Coal Mining Site, Halts Operations

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A tornado tore through a massive coal mining site in northeast Wyoming, resulting in eight injuries, according to officials. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in the incident, which occurred on Saturday.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Friday, the tornado struck the North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Campbell County amidst a storm complex that also produced tornadoes in neighboring counties.

The Gillette News Record noted that 12 empty train cars were knocked over by the tornado. Additionally, during the mine’s shift change, multiple buses used for transporting workers were overturned, shared Leslie Perkins, the Campbell County public information officer.

Responding to the surface mining operation located around 64 miles (103 kilometers) south of Gillette, the Campbell County Fire Department arrived at the scene.

Six individuals were transported by ambulance to Gillette, while another victim was taken to Douglas. One person declined treatment, and fortunately, none of the injuries were deemed life-threatening.

Following a search by the mine’s search and rescue team, in collaboration with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, all workers were accounted for, confirmed Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds.

Melissa Smith, a meteorologist and hydrologist from the National Weather Service office in Rapid City, South Dakota, explained that the storm system generated tornadoes across Campbell, Natrona, and Johnson counties. She stated that these tornadoes descended, remained on the ground for a period, and then dissipated.

Peabody Energy Inc., the operator of the North Antelope Rochelle Mine, headquartered in St. Louis and South Brisbane, Australia, confirmed that six employees were receiving treatment in hospitals as of 11 p.m. on Friday. The company assured that all employees had been located.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Peabody stated that operations had been suspended until a comprehensive assessment of facility damages could be conducted, allowing for the safe resumption of operations. However, specific details about the tornado’s impact were not provided.

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More about tornado, Wyoming coal mining site

• Gillette News Record
• Campbell County Fire Department
• National Weather Service
• Peabody Energy Inc.