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The body of Consol employee and mine examiner Donald Dabbs, 57, was found Friday by a team tasked with searching for him when he did not return from a routine examination of the mine’s air course on Thursday.

“When he did not return to the Crabapple portal at the end of his shift, [we] dispatched two miners into the mine, who found Mr Dabbs unresponsive,” a spokesperson said.

Dabbs was brought to the surface immediately and was subsequently taken to an area hospital by ambulance.

“Initial indications are that Mr Dabbs sustained no trauma and that this was not a work-related incident.”

The producer is working with state and federal mine safety officials, who arrived onsite Friday, to investigate the incident.

US Mine Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman Amy Louviere said Dabbs, who had worked at the Bailey mine since 2000, was found slumped over a crib due to what was believed to be a heart attack.

She also said officials would continue to look into the factors surrounding the worker’s death.

“District 2 investigated and has reported that no toxic gases were detected on the examiner’s detector,” she said.

“An autopsy is being conducted and this case will be reviewed for a chargeability determination.”

Consol’s Bailey operation is a consistent top US producer.