A young dad-of-two has died after a horror accident underground at a coal mine – leaving behind a devastated wife and two baby sons.
Justin Calloway, 24, was found unresponsive while working below ground at an active mine.
Emergency crews rushed him to the surface but were unable to save him.
Police say a preliminary investigation found Justin died following a “machinery accident while underground”, as reported by Need To Know.
The tragedy unfolded at a mine operated by Warrior Met Coal in Berry, Alabama, US.
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said no foul play is suspected and the incident remains under investigation by authorities, including the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Now Justin’s heartbroken wife Katelyn has shared the agonising moment she learned her husband would never come home.
She said she was preparing dinner, getting their sons ready for bed and making Justin’s lunch for the next day when she received a call from his workplace.
“This is something I never thought I would be typing, so bear with me as I am beyond distraught,” Katelyn said.
“At 7:03pm my life changed forever.
“I was getting the kids ready for bed, waiting on Justin to get home, and making his lunch for the next day.
“I got a call from my husband’s work letting me know that he had been involved in an accident underground.”
Katelyn arranged for her mum to watch the children and immediately set off, hoping her husband had suffered only minor injuries.
She said: “I was praying for him to have lost a finger or to have broken a bone because I knew something simple could heal, and he could be healthy again.
“But this was worse than anything I could have dreamed of.”
As she drove, Katelyn received a call from her mother urging her to return home.
She said: “I knew it was not good news.
“I screamed, I cried, I yelled and cried a whole lot more.
“I raced back home where I pulled up to a group of people on my front porch waiting for me.
“When I got out of my car, my knees were so weak I could barely stand.
“He told me that they did everything that they could, but they could not save him.
“At 24 years old, with two beautiful and healthy baby boys, the love of my life had passed away.”
Katelyn described Justin as the “absolute best dad” to their sons Luka and Baylor.
She said: “He was and will always be my best friend and the love of my life.
“My heart is shattered.
“Our little Luka just doesn’t understand, and our poor Baylor will not have any memories of his daddy outside of pictures.
“Justin is their world.
“He is my world.
“He is the epitome of love in this house.
“I don’t know how our world will continue to spin.”
A fundraiser launched to support Katelyn and the boys says the family had bought their “dream home” less than a year ago and were building a future together.
The appeal states donations will help cover immediate expenses and provide stability as the family “navigate life without Justin”.
More than $18,000 (£13,400) had been raised towards a $24,000 goal at the time of writing, with over 200 donations made.
Justin’s funeral is due to take place on Thursday following a visitation service.
Jam Press has contacted Warrior Met Coal for comment.
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