FRANKFORT, Ky. - Search and recovery efforts for 62-year-old Richard Knapp have been called off.  Knapp is presumed dead following an explosion July 31 at the Paradise Mine in Bremen, Kentucky. Knapp was a welder/iron worker from West Frankfort, Illinois.

Kenameria, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC), Department for Natural Resources, and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) worked since the explosion to clear the 380-foot mine elevator shaft and recover Knapp's body. Cameras were sent down the shaft Saturday but there was no sight of Knapp.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident at the Paradise Mine in Muhlenberg County,” said Governor Matt Bevin. “Our dedicated coal miners and mine workers do so much every day to keep our communities running strong. As Kentuckians, we want to offer our prayers and support to Mr. Knapp’s family, friends and co-workers during this very difficult time.”

Mine owners decided to stop recovery efforts so that no one else would need to be lowered down into the shaft for the search, putting them in danger.

Knapp, an employee of Fricke Management & Contracting out of Murphysboro, Illinois, was building a form that would be used to fill a mine shaft with concrete, part of an effort to seal and close an idled mine. The second of two methane gas explosions in the shaft caused Knapp to fall into the opening.

Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely extended his deepest sympathies to the Knapp family.

“While we had 25 mine safety personnel from across the state at the site, regrettably it became too unsafe to continue the recovery efforts,” Secretary Snavely. “But we have already begun looking into the cause of this accident and will make every attempt to use what we learn going forward to keep miners and mine workers as safe as possible.”