WV WV - David McKinley Hess, 50, ATV found near an abandoned mine, Rock View & Skin Fork area, Wyoming County, 11 Jun 2023

[GuyfromCanada]

WYOMING COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA) - A search is currently underway for a missing person in Wyoming County.

The Pineville Police Dept. is taking the lead on the investigation, with the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Dept. assisting.

According to a release from the Pineville Police Dept., David McKinley Hess, 50, was reported missing by family members on June 11, 2023. It said family members led police to an abandoned mine where Hess’ ATV was found at entrance near the Rock View/ Skin Fork area of Wyoming County.

A team from the West Virginia Office of Mine Safety and Training will soon be conducting a search of the mine.

Hess is described as a white male with brown hair, weighing in around 160 pounds. He is 5,6 inches tall.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Pineville Police Dept. at 304-732-6255.

Stay with WVVA for new developments on this story.

Search underway for missing person in Wyoming County

Search underway for missing person

www.wvva.com

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Why would David go to an abandoned mine? Hopefully he's safe.

 

[GraceG]

Why would David go to an abandoned mine? Hopefully he's safe.

Some people go into the old mines to find copper which they can then sell. NOT saying that's why he was there, but it's something that does occur in certain mines.

 

[tarabull]

Snipped...
...The mine was shut down in 1990 and has not been open since.

Hess frequently entered the mine in search of coal pieces and old lanterns.

Pineville PD looking for man missing in abandoned mine

PINEVILLE, WV (WVNS) — On June 11, 2023, David Mckinley Hess, 50, was reported missing. Family members lead the Pineville Police Department to an abandoned mine in the Wyoming County area. He…

www.wvnstv.com

 

[tarabull]

Mine search for missing man paused

mine rescue teams have paused their efforts following a two-day, extensive search of an abandoned mine in Wyoming County.

www.wvva.com

Search called off for missing Wyoming County man

PINEVILLE, WV (WVNS) — The search for a Wyoming County man who has been missing since June 11, 2023, was called off. According to the Police Chief Zach Hellmandollar with Pineville PD, crews …

www.wvnstv.com

 

[Limecat]

So are they just assuming he’s in the mine and they just can’t find him? Is the mine so unsafe that searching further would put people at risk? I can’t imagine “knowing” a family member was in there and being ok with just leaving it at that! My prayers are with them all.

 

[Unsolved]

So are they just assuming he’s in the mine and they just can’t find him? Is the mine so unsafe that searching further would put people at risk? I can’t imagine “knowing” a family member was in there and being ok with just leaving it at that! My prayers are with them all.

Yes, sounds like it was too unsafe:

"The mine rescue team, from the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training, exhausted all areas of the mine that could be searched before it became too dangerous for team members, Pineville Police Chief Zack Helmandollar said."

<I also noted this tidbit>

"Hess had been going inside the mine for about eight months, Helmandollar noted, and had previously gotten lost there."

Search efforts suspended for missing Wyoming County man

Following two days inside a long-abandoned coal mine, a rescue team has suspended search efforts for a missing Wyoming County man. David Hess, 50, was reported missing Sunday, though family

www.register-herald.com

I agree about knowing a family member was in there and not being OK to just leave it at that - I'd probably be the second person reported missing because I wouldn't be able to stand it! I wish there was some way to be safe and find him, but it must be pretty bad if the Miners organization paused.

 

[GraceG]

I'm sorry to hear they suspended the search but I understand totally the dangers to the miner rescue team members. I have a family member who works for the forest service and they passed this on to me when we were hiking in an area of an abandoned mine. Abandon Mines - Safety and Crime Prevention - LEI | USDA Forest Service.

 

[Mert]

IMO, like GraceG mentioned, I VERY frequently see articles about people entering mines and also destroying active properties that serve other purposes, to steal copper and other items to sell.
The old lanterns bit is next to impossible for me to believe. I am sorry to see a person lost, regardless.

 

[Limecat]

Yes, sounds like it was too unsafe:

"The mine rescue team, from the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training, exhausted all areas of the mine that could be searched before it became too dangerous for team members, Pineville Police Chief Zack Helmandollar said."

<I also noted this tidbit>

"Hess had been going inside the mine for about eight months, Helmandollar noted, and had previously gotten lost there."

Search efforts suspended for missing Wyoming County man

Following two days inside a long-abandoned coal mine, a rescue team has suspended search efforts for a missing Wyoming County man. David Hess, 50, was reported missing Sunday, though family

www.register-herald.com

I agree about knowing a family member was in there and not being OK to just leave it at that - I'd probably be the second person reported missing because I wouldn't be able to stand it! I wish there was some way to be safe and find him, but it must be pretty bad if the Miners organization paused.

It’s just awful all around. My heart goes out to his loved ones.