About 7 a.m., December 9, 1966, a crew of 18 men entered the mine to begin coal-loading operations, Kerwin, Steigert, and Stansick had been instructed by the mine foreman to timber, scale down loose roof material, and load the remaining gob material where No. 4 room crosscut intersected the old return entry off No. 1 butt (accident area).  All had worked in No. 4 room crosscut the previous day and loaded five 2-ton cars of material.  Steigert stated that he had personally scaled down all loose roof material prior to loading operations and in his opinion the place was safe.

Prior to loading operations on the December 9th shift, Steigert stated that they had installed the inby crossbar and again scaled down loose roof material in the old return airway.  During this time, McGee had visited the area on three different occasions.  His last visit was about 10:15 a.m.  He stated that the conditions were normal and loose material was not observed and he considered the place safe, However, he suggested that another crossbar be installed, and another safety post be set in the center of the old return entry.

After Kerwin had loaded two cars of the fallen material from the old return airway the three men decided to eat lunch.  About 11:25 a.m., Kerwin told Steigert that he would start back to work and prepare a place to set the safety post which the mine foreman had instructed be set.  Steigert stated that Kerwin acquired a coal shovel and proceeded toward the work area.  No sooner had Kerwin entered the place when a fall of roof occurred.  Both men looked toward the area in which Kerwin had entered and saw him lying on the mine floor with roof rock across both legs.  They called to him but received no response.  Steigert summoned other workmen to the area and telephoned to the surface to inform McGee of the accident.  Kerwin was removed from under the fallen roof material, placed upon a stretcher, and transported to the surface where an ambulance awaited.  Thence he was taken to the Uniontown Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival about 12:15 p.m.

It was the consensus of the investigating committee that Kerwin had apparently observed some loose roof material on the right side of the crosscut connection and while prying the material with the coal shovel was struck by the falling material.  The height of the working place in the accident area was 13 feet.  A clay vein was observed in the coal rib.  Two large pieces of slickensided rock that were reportedly lying on the victim's legs measured 18 inches wide, 18 inches thick, and 16 inches long.  Smaller pieces of roof rock were in close proximity to the accident area and had apparently been removed from the victim.

Injuries to Kerwin consisted of a crushed chest, multiple rib fractures, and compound fractures to both legs.