By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
EQUALITY, Ill. – Authorities have identified the man killed at a mine in far southern Illinois.
Thomas Brown, 61, of Eddyville, Kentucky was struck by a shuttle car Friday at the Willow Lake mine. St. Louis-based Peabody Energy owns the facility.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently singled out Willow Lake as particularly dangerous.
Since late 2008, the agency has fined Peabody $230,000 for violations there.
MSHA closed the Willow Lake mine pending an investigation.
Peabody defends its safety record. Before the accident company officials said they'd taken "aggressive steps" to improve operations, including a one-day work stoppage to review safety practices.