CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered flags to be flown at half staff to honor Steve Lipscomb, who died while working at the Rolling Thunder Mine in Nicholas County.

Morrisey's flag order recognizes all West Virginia coal miners who have lost their lives on the job in 2025 – Mark Hatfield, Billy Stalker, Eric Batram, Joey Mitchell, and Lipscomb.

Flags must be lowered to half staff at all state buildings in West Virginia from noon on Friday to sunset on the day of Lipscomb’s internment.

Lipscomb’s body was recovered early Thursday morning after water levels inside the mine receded enough to allow safe entry. Rescue crews began searching the mine around 6 a.m., systematically examining each section, and a two-man team located Lipscomb at 7:37 a.m.

Crews had been working aroun

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