Officials with the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration have located the bodies of two miners who became trapped last night after a roof collapse at Alliance Coal’s Dotiki Mine in Hopkins County.

The deceased miners have been identified as 28-year-old Michael Carter of Madisonville, Ky., and 27-year-old Justin Travis of Dixon, Ky., both were married with children and had been employed at the mine several years.

The two men became trapped when a section of a roof gave way approximately 500 feet underground and 24,000 feet back into the mine.

Statement from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear:

“Today has been a terrible day for Kentucky and for our coal-mining families.  I am very saddened to announce that we have lost two miners, Michael Carter and Justin Travis, in the roof collapse at Dotiki mine in western Kentucky.  Our entire state mourns along with their families and friends.  Despite our sadness, we must press forward to the work ahead of us – fully investigating what caused this accident and determining ways to avoid such accidents in the future.”