September 4, 2022 - An investigation is underway after a man in West Virginia died at the Kanawha Eagle Coalburg Tunnel Mine in Kanawha County.

The death of Kris Ball, 34, of Chapmanville was announced by Republican Gov. Jim Justice during a coronavirus briefing on Friday.

"We know how much we depend on our coal miners," Justice said, noting that Ball was killed Thursday night. "It's tough work. They're absolute heroes. We try to be as safe as we can possibly be all the time. I'm sure that we tried to stress safety over and over, but it's a tough occupation. And we should be so eternally grateful to this young man, his incredible family, and absolutely to all of our coal miners across the state."

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) posted a statement regarding Ball's death on Twitter.

"Gayle and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kris Ball at the Coalburg Tunnel Mine. We ask all West Virginians to join us in keeping his wife Chelsea and their three children in our prayers during this devastating time," Manchin tweeted.

The cause of Ball's death hasn't been announced. The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training is investigating.