You’re referring to a tragic incident in Buchanan County, Virginia: two men—identified as 49‑year‑old Jerry Chambers Jr., of Jewell Ridge, Virginia, and 53‑year‑old Jerry Orville Jenks, of Paynesville, West Virginia—were found dead inside an abandoned drift mine near Spruce Pine Road. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office reported deputies were called just after midnight on August 20, 2025, regarding the disappearance of the two men, who had last been seen entering the mine. Rescue crews recovered their bodies around 10:30 a.m. the same day. Investigators noted that no foul play is suspected; the deaths appear to be a tragic accident, likely due to the unstable, hazardous conditions typical of abandoned drift mines. Bodies were taken to the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke for autopsies https://www.wymt.comJust In News.
Summary of Key Details
Detail | Description |
---|---|
Incident Date | Reported early August 20, 2025, bodies recovered ~10:30 a.m. |
Location | Abandoned drift mine off Spruce Pine Road, Spruce Pine section of Buchanan County, Virginia |
Victims | 1. Jerry Chambers Jr., 49, Jewell Ridge, VA 2. Jerry Orville Jenks, 53, Paynesville, WV |
Response Teams | Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office; mine rescue teams; Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy; MSHA; Coronado Mine Rescue; Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner |
Cause / Foul Play | No signs of foul play; likely a tragic accident due to hazardous conditions in abandoned mine |
Community Impact | Deep grief in both communities; renewed warnings about the dangers of entering abandoned mine sites Just In News |
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