Aaron Warrix Tragic Mining Accident Pettus Death and Obituary: In Loving Memory

The town of Pettus is reeling after the tragic death of 53-year-old Aaron Warrix, a shuttle car operator at the Horse Creek Eagle Mine in Raleigh County. Warrix was struck by a rock while working at the mine Thursday evening. He was rushed from the scene for medical treatment but tragically passed away later that night. His unexpected death has left his family, coworkers, and the community in profound shock.

Warrix, a resident of Chapmanville, had worked at the mine for about four and a half years. Colleagues remember him as a steady, skilled worker who always kept his head down and did the hard work that powers the nation’s energy needs. His quiet dedication and reliability made him a valued member of the team, and his loss has left a gap in the lives of those who knew him.

Company leaders expressed their heartbreak over Warrix’s passing. Andy Eidson, CEO of Alpha Metallurgical Resources, which oversees the mine through its Marfork Coal subsidiary, offered condolences to Warrix’s family and confirmed the company’s full cooperation with investigators.

Both state and federal officials swiftly began investigating the accident. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training have opened inquiries to determine how the rock struck Warrix and whether safety measures failed. As the investigation unfolds, local residents and miners are awaiting answers.

Warrix’s death has deeply affected the coal-mining community, where such fatalities are a painful but familiar reality. For many, his loss is not just personal but communal—a neighbor gone, a paycheck lost, and a hole left where his laugh once was.

In the coming days, the community plans to hold memorial services and support drives for Warrix’s family, offering meals, prayers, and a helping hand to those grieving his untimely passing.