Mine worker died saving crew in Nicholas County mine

WOWK 13 ^ | November 13, 2025 | Jessica Patterson, Jackson Lilly, Blake DeJarnatt

[Morgana]

NICHOLAS COUNTY, W.Va. (WOWK) – A mine worker has died after being trapped in a Nicholas County mine.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey released a statement on twitter saying that around 6:00 a.m. this morning, water levels inside the Rolling Thunder Mine receded enough for crews to safely enter.

At 7:37 a.m., one two-man team located the body of the missing miner, foreman Steve Lipscomb, 42, of Elkview. Officials have said Lipscomb had 20 years of mining experience, and the company said he had been employed with them since 2006.

West Virginia Delegate Dean Jeffries (R-Kanawha) also confirmed that Lipscomb served in the United States Marine Corps. Governor Morrisey added Thursday night that Lipscomb was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

According to officials, Lipscomb became trapped at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County on Saturday, Nov. 8, after a crew in the underground mine encountered a sudden and substantial inflow of water. According to the mining company, Lipscomb was last seen attempting to ensure his crew made it out safely. All other miners in the area were able to safely evacuate the mine

In his hometown of Elkview, people say they are struggling to cope with the loss of a man they say was a pillar in the community. Those who knew him describe him as a loving husband, an outstanding father to his two daughters, a man of faith, and someone who deeply cared about the well-being of his fellow man.

[Waverunner]

Greater love hath no man

[Morgana]

Amen

[NurdlyPeon]

Every morning at the mine you could see him arrive, he stood 6 foot 6 and weighed 245.....

[Joe 6-pack]

For some reason, I was thinking about the song, “Big Bad John,” just a few days ago, about a miner who have his life to save his fellow miners.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Now, this is a hero.

May his memory be eternal.

[Morgana]

So you knew him?

[gildafarrell]

RIP. Condolences to his family.

[NurdlyPeon]

So you knew him?

That's the opening line to "Big Bag John". See post #5

[NurdlyPeon]

“Big Bad John”

[Repeal The 17th]

Ev’ry mornin’ at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six foot six and weighed 245
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
And everybody knew, ya didn’t give no lip to Big John
Big Bad John
(Big John)

Nobody seemed to know where John called home
He just drifted into town and stayed all alone
He didn’t say much, he kinda quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all, he just said, “Hi” to Big John
Somebody said he came from New Orleans
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
And a crashin’ blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land, Big John
Big Bad John
(Big John)

Then came the day at the bottom of the mine
When a timber cracked and men started cryin’
Miners were prayin’ and hearts beat fast
And everybody thought that they’d breathed their last, ‘cept John
Through the dust and the smoke of this man-made hell
Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well
Grabbed a saggin’ timber, gave out with a groan
And like a giant Oak tree, he just stood there alone, Big John
Big Bad John
(Big John)

nd with all of his strength he gave a mighty shove
Then a miner yelled out, “There’s a light up above”
And 20 men scrambled from a would-be grave
Now there’s only one left down there to save, Big John
With jacks and timbers they started back down
Then came that rumble way down in the ground
And then smoke and gas belched out of that mine
Everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John
Big Bad John
(Big John)

Now they never reopened that worthless pit
They just placed a marble stand in front of it
These few words are written on that stand
“At the bottom of this mine lies a big, big man, Big John”

[oldplayer]

R.I.P.

This guy worked for 20 years underground and died helping others. How much of his earnings were diverted to SNAP scams and other programs that often reward people (or corporations) for doing about nothing?

[kiryandil]

“Big Steve”

[PGR88]

That sucks. Prayers up to Steve Lipscomb and his family.

I’d do a lot of jobs, but going a mile underground is not one of them.

[Flaming Conservative]

Amen!

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Twenty feet or a mile, it’s just as dark either way. I kind of liked working underground.

[Getready]

First Rap Song. I think “Ringo” was the 2nd....”subterranean homesick blues” was no. 3...no?

[Getready]

Wow...nerves of steel. I couldn’t do that.
I was in an abandoned mine with a bunch of friends once...some idiot told everyone to turn off their flashlights. I didn’t have one. I figured that’s what being dead feels like. Absolute darkness and cold with sagging timbers and unfenced 100 foot airshafts all around. And no way to guide myself out. I didn’t know about all the poisonous mine gases then. Will never do that again. Kudos to you.

[dayglored]

> .”subterranean homesick blues” was no. 3...no?

sure seems like it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGxjIBEZvx0

[Tall Wall Texan]

I worked underground coal at the Sunnyside Mine in Utah when I was 19. Admittedly, I was a little anxious at first, but after you settle in, it is just like working construction only cooler. Very cool temperatures down in the mine. The job paid very well and helped me pay for college to become a Mining Engineer.